2019 “Smart Shrinkage”- An Energy-giving Site - Kai Rui

View in Full Screen

Background: The shrinking city is defined as depopulation in densely populated urban areas (LaCroix, 2010). There are many reasons for the depopulation, such as suburbanization, peripheralization, aging demographics, deindustrialization, intentional removal, transitional change. Depopulation can cause many serious effects, (1) reduction in public income (2) reduction in employment rate (3) birth rate decreases (Lima & Eischeid, 2017). Therefore, it is very important to solve the problem of depopulation. Depopulation can also be seen in Christchurch. The factors that lead to depopulation can be divided into water quality, flood risk, and contaminated sites. The statistic shows that from 2006 to 2013, the resident population of Christchurch fell by 2%. Especially after the 2010/2011 earthquake, residents in the surrounding areas of the earthquake fell by half (Stats NZ, 2015).

Aim: The design aims to develop strategies and design concept for the study area that will provide residents with multi-choice activities connection open spaces and waterways.

Objectives: 

1. To provide relevant activities in open spaces
2. To develop waterway activities
3. To provide riverbank activities