Future Christchurch: Creating an experience economy

Abstract

This thesis investigates the potentials inherent in the existing economy framework in Christchurch, with the aim to develop an economic strategy to support Christchurch's proposed urban plan and to provide a long term economically based design solution for the future of Christchurch through event making and the creation of an Experience Economy. The focus is on the collaboration between architects and other creative disciplines to regenerate Christchurch through event making. Seen as a primary driver for Christchurch's rebuild, the Experience Economy can be a catalyst for attracting capital and private investments back into the city, while also creating employment opportunities. Secondary sectors such as hospitality, food services and retail shops can then be brought back to eventually revitalise the city as a whole. Building on the River of Arts initiative, the Experience Economy can be used to revitalise the central city and extend beyond into the surrounding suburbs. A live case study, LUXCity is used as an example to demonstrate how events can have a big impact on the city without conventional event architecture. Not only bringing the city centre back to life for one night, it benefits both the local businesses as well as the students through a realistic project for their academic use. The ULTIMATE GOAL is to make Christchurch a more connected city through the creation of an Experience Economy to improve the well-being of people and increase the overall quality of life. In addition, utilising a transformative architectural system which provides spaces for events, populating the entire Christchurch as well the Arts Circus acting as a hub with both fixed and transformational architecture serving a range of events, the site could transform throughout the day, week, month and year depending on the events calendar. Christchurch will eventually turn itself to an eventful city. This Anti-Bilbao approach is a good opportunity to work with the wider community and creative arts industries to contribute in terms of the regeneration of the city, especially during the Transitional City Phase.