I received a draft Central City Plan for the Christchurch Rebuild in my mailbox last week and I am so intrigued with the plans of the Christchurch City Council especially on what my city will look like in the future. The Draft Central City Plan Summary Document August 2011 outlined interesting points and I love:
- The Light Rail System which would really be a great support for public transport patronage around the city.
- The pedestrian and cycle lanes which will really help identify Christchurch as a walkable city.
- More parks and open spaces, creating a vibrant city that is more interactive and green.
And what struck me most was the plan to make a “Green City” by encouraging businesses to build or use “green buildings that are powered by renewable energy, use less water, are made with local and recycled materials and help to visibly green the city with roof gardens and green walls.” (Draft Central City Plan August 2011 – Volume1)
The opportunities for green business is limitless and it is not just limited to green building construction. The areas of green technology, innovation and even green tourism would be the dynamic soul behind these plans.
But what do Christchurch businesses think of the Central City Plan?
I can see a change of our city towards a more sustainable and green future. I love the plans of roof gardens and green walls and living in a more interactive Green city.
I hope Robert Hammond’s talk in TED TV about ”Building a Park in the Sky” will serve as an inspiration. Robert Hammond and few of his friends decided to save High Line, an abandoned elevated railroad in Manhattan and converted it into a park.
Photo via Flickr Creative Commons: Christchurch Cathedral by Geoftheref
