The Frame

Te Tāparepare

Defining the central city Core, and providing new green space and a range of commercial and residential development opportunities, the Frame will reshape central Christchurch. Its three components – East, South and North – each have their own distinct character, while the Urban Gateways in the north-west and south-east provide vibrant entry points to the central city.

The Frame, in tandem with zoning provisions, reduces the extent of the central city commercial area so that the oversupply of land is addressed. It will help to increase the value of properties generally across the central city in a way that regulations to contain the central core, or new zoning decisions, could not. The Frame helps to deliver a more compact core while diversifying opportunities for investment and development. The Frame allows the Core to expand in the future if there is demand for housing or commercial development.

Purpose and significance

  • redefines the central city;
  • provides an attractive location for a range of commercial and residential activities;
  • articulates the community vision for a green, distinctive, vibrant and accessible city;
  • will support a greater choice of housing to attract a diverse range of residents;
  • adds visual and open space amenity;
  • reduces the need for District Plan rules to control development within the central city Core which would otherwise be required to address the phasing of development;
  • gets people back into the city to enjoy the amenity of the Frame (walking, cycling and playing);
  • provides an alternative cycling and walking network linking the Ōtākaro/ Avon River and Hagley Park;
  • provides an attractive campus-style environment for businesses.

Key facts

  • the East frame is the largest of the three frames incorporating open space, opportunities for some complementary commercial ventures such as cafes and restaurants, residential developments, cycle and walkways;
  • the East frame will include a large-scale playground for children, landscaped areas and space to set up a Fanzone and to host other festival and community events;
  • the South frame will contain a Health Precinct and allows for education, commercial and innovation activity centres;
  • the North frame links Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct and Victoria Square and encourages some complementary development.