A changing streetscape and residents' responses : infill housing in Christchurch

Abstract

The quest for more sustainable urban forms has added renewed vigour to urban planning with recent trends such as 'Smart Growth' and 'New Urbanism' becoming increasingly popular with planning authorities. These approaches seek to achieve both bio-physical environmental and social objectives and infill housing is often invoked as one means of meeting these goals. While infill development often finds favour with local authorities and developers, existing residents have sometimes expressed heartfelt opposition to infill housing and it remains a contentious issue. This thesis reports on an enquiry into neighbours' interpretations of, and reactions to, infill housing in Christchurch - the 'Garden City'. It cautions against reductionist interpretations of the 'environment' and highlights the multiple meanings associated with certain forms of housing.