CHRISTCHURCH REBUILD> BRICK BY BRICK

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Milan Luka

Arts Centre is obviously made of pretty strong stuff. Aparently will take a while to fix as there's not many out there with experience with this type of building.

As for Craig, . Sydney dont be so rough with him man. No doubt manhandling him too much!

I've renegged so many times on plans to visit Auckland this year. Everything in my life is in a state of flux right now. Slowly getting back to normal, I hope to get up there sooner rather than later. Have just read this morning that eastadl is going to be in Auckland soo, hope he's made contact with you for a city tour. He's a real decent guy.

I like it rough, what more can I say Yeah, Easty is heading our way and I will definitely be taking him around to se the neighbourhood. A shame that you can't join us Thanks for the pics, I loooooove them

[ikops]

It's good to see Christchurch getting back on its feet.

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by Jennifat

Hah, I couldn't help but laugh at the guy at the coffee shop using a garden shovel to clear the sidewalk. I suppose people down there don't really have snow shovels, do they.

New Zealanders are a little *ahem* Scottish when it comes to spending money. No need at all to buy snow shovels when there are about 100 other things in easy reach that would do the exact same thing.

Originally Posted by hellospank25

Lovely building. Is this a house or a business? Looks like they will be able to repair it

Yep its being repaired! In fact the wooden homes suffered very little damage as apparently they move with the earth. This building is part of a set of about seven, most of which are converted to offices. This one is a home though.

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

I like it rough, what more can I say Yeah, Easty is heading our way and I will definitely be taking him around to se the neighbourhood. A shame that you can't join us Thanks for the pics, I loooooove them

Excellent. You guys make excellent tour guides. Say hi to Josh from me ok. And if you have time, take him to Melba's-I love their coffee.

Originally Posted by ikops

It's good to see Christchurch getting back on its feet.

Maybe its just me but Im getting the feeling things are finally moving. The aftershocks have quietened down (touch wood), and apart from the polar blast winters been pretty mild. Springs not far away and Im sure we'll start seeing things happening. Thanks for dropping by.

[Milan Luka]

Hagley Park

New York has Central Park, London has Hyde Park, Munich has the English Gardens. While Christchurch is nowhere near being Alpha city we at least have our own massive park in the central city. Over 400 acres, a perimeter of 6 kilometres, said to be the largest city park in the Southern Hemisphere, whether this is actually true or not who knows, but it sounds feasible at least :-).

The area was set aside as a city park in 1850. Its used by everybody. Wooded areas, cricket grounds, netball courts, rugby fields, the Botanic Gardens, croquet lawns, football fields, tennis courts, native bush, a nine hole golf course, home to concerts etc etc etc.

Here's a small set of shots of our modest city skyline taken from North Hagley. A couple of those midrises are no longer safe and are in the process of being demolished.

[Davee]

Luka - these photo essays are just getting better and better. Well done!!!

What is so good to see is that many of the neo gothic buildings, though damaged, are still standing and hopefully will be repaired. They are the very character of Christchurch.

I look forward to the next instalment......... :-)

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by Davee

Luka - these photo essays are just getting better and better. Well done!!!

What is so good to see is that many of the neo gothic buildings, though damaged, are still standing and hopefully will be repaired. They are the very character of Christchurch.

I look forward to the next instalment......... :-)

Cheers Davee. I'm glad you pop by my thread and thanks for saying howdy!

I like to think that this is the place where anybody who is homesick for Christchurch and wants to know what is happening on the ground can get a proper feel for what's going on. It's not scientific by any means and I can't get around everywhere but hope it's a good representation of what's going on.

[Milan Luka]

Lyttelton Port

Once an ancient volcanic crater, one side of which collapse letting the sea creating Lyttelton Harbour.

The first European Settlers to Canterbury set foot here in the 1840s. Geographically very different to the rest of Christchurch, the town of Lyttelton is a popular residential area. The town itself has an interesting mix of local residents, it literally is the type of place where people from all social levels live right next door to each other. Many of the original timber workers cottages remain, renovated they can command a nice price. Street life is vibrant here too, made even more colourful by the Filipino, Ukranian seamen passing through.

While the port is ugly, noisy and messy- its got lots of character. Its in full swing, and naturally remains off limits to the public. That said though, there are still a couple of quiet corners you can take your fish and chips, turn your phone off and throw a rod in the water.

[Milan Luka]

[Milan Luka]

Downtown East Side

While everyone would agree that downtown Christchurch was beautiful, the eastside between Madras and Fitzgerald left a lot to be desired. While not exactly a no go area, it's as close as we could get to a skid row.

Right on the border of the cordoned off downtown it's a bit of a no mans land at the moment. That said some light industry still operates, a handful of cafes and stores have reopened, and some homes and apartments remain occupied. Despite this it seems like a forgotten place, always overlooked and a little unloved it's now quickly falling into disrepair. This area stands to gain the most from the earthquake clean up. It looks as though it will get a thorough makeover. There are now entire blocks that are able to be rebuilt from scratch. Plans include affordable housing, an avenue of parks, a massive Aquatic Centre and the rebuild of the cities Roman Catholic Basilica.

I look forward to seeing what this area looks like in 5 years time.

[Milan Luka]

[Milan Luka]

Moncks Bay and Shag Rock

Where the Avon Estuary meets the South Pacific is the small enclave of Moncks Bay. Completely residential, and definately very quiet, its considered a desirable place to live. Despite the laid back atmosphere on a warm summer weekend it gets overrun by people from all parts of Christchurch taking in the beaches in this area.

As you can see though, its definately not summer right now....

[Milan Luka]

[DanielFigFoz]

Great photos!

[SYDNEY]

Thanks Luka, I have a love-hate relationship with this thread .... I love what you are doing but I hate seeing all the damage , the snow is awesome though Do you know if these homes are still okay (they look it) ...

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by DanielFigFoz

Great photos!

Hi mate. Thanks for the comment. Glad you like!

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Thanks Luka, I have a love-hate relationship with this thread .... I love what you are doing but I hate seeing all the damage , the snow is awesome though Do you know if these homes are still okay (they look it) ...

I think most of those homes are actually ok. What you dont see in that photo is that the back of the hill has completely fallen away and a number of houses have either collapsed in a heap or are teetering on a sheer cliff face. I'll post some photos of that a little later...

[Milan Luka]

Westmorland

Tucked away in the middle of nowhere is another one of the seemingly endless Port Hill suburbs. Westmorland is the kind of place no one goes to unless you live there. Its a dormant, relatively new suburb on the edge of the city sprawl. There's nothing here but homes and open space. This was my first visit and I was impressed. Quiet and relaxed, the kind of place I would've hated as a teen.

The ground seems pretty solid out here. Walking around I saw very little sign of the events of the last year. Looks like life here continues as normal.

[Milan Luka]

[Expat]

I have just looked at this entire thread from the beginning. It has broken my heart to see such a beautiful city damaged. Especially when I think of the personal tragedies of lost loved ones, pets, beloved homes, etc. It seems that the future will be an exciting time to be in ChCH as it rises again.

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by Expat

I have just looked at this entire thread from the beginning. It has broken my heart to see such a beautiful city damaged. Especially when I think of the personal tragedies of lost loved ones, pets, beloved homes, etc. It seems that the future will be an exciting time to be in ChCH as it rises again.

Hey Expat. Thanks for taking the time to go through my thread.

I couldn't agree with more with your sentiments, and YES, the future will be an exciting time for the city.

Here's a link to the councils proposed rebuild of the city centre...

http://www.centralcityplan.org.nz/

[KIWIKAAS]

Hi MK. Been a while mate. Thanks for all the pics and keeping us posted.

I just had a look at the above link. Very exciting stuff indeed!