Christchurch Rebuild: Public projects a boost for CBD

Aecom's Shaun Hubbard (left) and Peter Harris: working in a highly complex environment.

The pace of the rebuild is a major focus for those involved in project work on the ground in Christchurch.

Aecom's Shaun Hubbard says no one anticipated the scale of the rebuild. "It is a highly complex environment to work in, and there's no such thing as business as usual. When you understand the complexities and things like that down here, you understand why it's moving at that pace."

"I think we look back at some of the other events happening in the world, like the London bombings and things like that, it took an awfully long time to get it back on their feet ... so while it takes time due to the complexities involved, it's not surprising really."

Nonetheless, Hubbard - who is Aecom's South Island regional manager - is confident that the rebuild is entering a new stage. "Things are really starting to ramp up now ... Its gaining momentum all the time."

Aecom is confident the high-value, publicly funded projects will add a much-needed boost to the Christchurch CBD. The company is project manager for the new Metro Sport Facility, which is expected to be a world class complex comprised of aquatic pools, an indoor stadium and high-performance training centre. The project is under way, and is scheduled for completion in mid-2017.

More recently, Aecom picked up work on the new central library, which aims to "create a city hub for knowledge, heritage material and an area for recreational reading".

However, Hubbard says it is important not to neglect the wider focuses of the rebuild. He cites the capacity building work at the Port of Lyttelton - an often-forgotten but vital contributor to Christchurch's economy. Despite damage to the port, exports from the surrounding regions have actually increased over the past two years placing additional strain on the existing infrastructure.

"When we look at the overall picture, it's about people, and rebuilding a city for the people of Christchurch," Hubbard says. "I don't think there's any silver bullet ... Getting residential people back in their homes has to be a priority."

There are also impacts for the consultancy. Says colleague and technical director Peter Harris, "We've been able to create a really good and unique atmosphere.

"Because we've got a lot of people coming from elsewhere, your team becomes a lot closer, because your work colleagues become your friends. That's certainly helped us in terms of the culture we've created."

Last year, Aecom launched Agropolis, as part of a collaborative initiative between FESTA, Garden City 2.0, Aecom, A Local Food Project, Juliet Moore, Andreas Wesener (Lincoln University), Liv Worsnop (Plant Gang) and Rosie Brittenden (Christchurch Youth Council). The project aims to create a scalable and productive farm in the heart of the CBD, composting waste from local restaurants, and growing food products which can then be returned to the community.

In the long-term the aim is for Agropolis to become an urban food hub, including a mobile kitchen to be used for "garden-to-plate" experiences and educational programmes.

Corporate social responsibility initiatives such as Agropolis can draw on the strong sense of community among Christchurch residents and businesses. "It's really about bringing the community together," says Hubbard: As we rebuild the city, it's not just having a city full of buildings, it's about having a city that people can live in as well."