A city's coming of age

Christchurch, New Zealand traditionally recognised as "The garden city" and often referred to as a "little piece of England", has experienced an evolution. One which subtlely took shape over the past decade and which best can be described as its "coming of age".A city long seen in the aforementioned light has moved away from its conservative, polite and orderly image, to adopting new exciting labels  - Think cosmopolitan, bohemian and urban chic.

The shift is in part attributable to an attitude of urban renewal, embracing former commercial warehouses, factories and shops, and revitalising the back alleyways and lanes in the city's CBD. Turn the corner into an alley and one could almost be in New York with its loft apartments, fire escapes and brick facades. Turn another corner and the city takes on a european feel with it's boutiques, cafes spilling onto the sidewalk, central european themed restaurants and taverns. Tying it all together is the architecture.
Christchurch previously has to a greater extent overlooked its historic buildings and homes in the name of progress, but as the world shifts its focus to sustainable and renewable practices the city seems to have rexamined the greatness from our yesteryear.
All this does not mean to say that the experience of our parks, gardens and englishness can still not be had, but merely suggests that where once these would have been the featured attractions of our city, Christchurch can now claim to have much more to offer and excite.
This change, in the writer's opinion, is one of the most positive and inspiring for the city and just writing about it reignites my passion for where I live.

Text and images (c) 2010 Leeann Apps