New Brighton MOTU WAI: Creating a Water Resilient Community by Celebrating Water - Sophie Graham

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New Brighton is a Coastal urban area East of Christchurch City. The area was significantly damaged after the earthquakes. The area is very run-down and has lost its connection to the wider community after the earthquake. There is now a divide by the red-zone from the further areas of Christchurch. The site has minimal social interactions that bring people to site apart from the pier and beach. New Brighton has important natural amenities of the beach, river and Red-zone developments but these are not expressed in a way that creates identity to place. The mall area, which is the spine of New Brighton, has an overly large amount of space that is only commercial based and could be used as something else. There is a strong relation to Maori history from the natural assets but is not seen physically or identified. There is more of a connection to European settlement. There is a strong linear pattern of connectivity to site. The area is very flat which is a major problem with the sea level rise to effect both sides of New Brighton which potentially could destroy New Brighton if not designed to adapt to both changes in the river and sea. The Micro-climatic conditions of the Easterly wind have a strong impact to the area making it not pleasant. The area has a very strong community in place and is always trying to do the best for the community with market days and raising money. This shows the area can definitely handle change in the future with its tight community aspect. There have been many strategies and plans to revitalise the area into an amazing sea side resort for people to shop and experience the sea. However with all the plans discussed for New Brighton there has been no mention of the future problems of Sea Level rise and flooding control strategies. None of the plans discussed could succeed if the site is under water.