Conference 2003
Greening the City:
Bringing Biodiversity Back
into the Urban Environment
Abstract:
A Strategy for the Protection and Restoration of Waterways
and Wetlands in Christchurch
Robert Watts (Parks & Waterways Unit, Christchurch City
Council)
In its original
natural state, Christchurch's surface water environment comprised
three small coastal rivers, their estuaries, numerous spring
fed streams and wetlands. This system sustained local Maori
for 800 years.
The development
of the City has included the straightening and enlargement
of rivers, construction of an extensive drainage system and
the filling of lowland.
Over the last 10
years a new management philosophy has evolved as set out in
the Council's Natural Asset Management Strategy for Waterways
and Wetlands. It represents an investment of NZ$160 million
over 40 years. It reflects six main values; ecology, landscape,
recreation, heritage, culture and drainage.
This paper describes
the Strategy and its programme of restoration and protection
.
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