The landforms of the Christchurch lowland : a dissertation submitted in partial requirement for the Diploma of Landscape Architecture in the University of Canterbury [Lincoln College]

Abstract

Long before European occupation, the main landforms of the Christchurch lowland were coastal sandhills, swamps, river fans and terraces. These landforms were all part of a broad flood plain formed by the Waimakariri as the flow of this river to the sea was blocked by the volcanic island that now forms Banks Peninsula. In this flat swampy lowland the English settlers chose to build their new town. This study is about those landforms and their subsequent modification. When I started looking at the landforms of Christchurch I realised that the lowland in which it lies has a very special foundation. In order to explain many of the present day topographical features, we have to go back to its geological past. Chapter one gives a brief overview of this geological past and how it was responsible for the formation of the plains and the lowland of Christchurch. Chapter two is a description of the specific landforms, their formation and natural state. Most of these landforms are interdependent, both in formation and evolution. However, for ease of study these landforms are discussed in separate sections. Chapter three relates the story of human occupation, the first impressions of these settlers, the problems they encountered and the factors which determined where they settled. Chapter four describes how the landforms were used, managed and what modifications were made. The main sections in this chapter discuss the drainage of swamps, by individual effort and public authorities, the modification and management of rivers, estuary, the Waimakariri, sandhills, and roading. Chapter five discusses the landforms that remain, their present state and possible future.