You are invited to Victoria City Hall to hear stories of city building and rebuilding from Christchurch, New Zealand, and Adelaide, Australia.
Christchurch rebuilt from massive earthquakes (an experience we need to prepare for in Greater Victoria), while Adelaide has used placemaking to drive its urban development.
Greater Victoria Placemaking Network and The City of Victoria invite you to City Hall on Monday, Sept 12, for two talks by New Zealand urbanist Mike Fisher. At 9 am, Mike will talk about Christchurch, then at 10:30 he will talk about the Adelaide experience. At 10 am we will have a brief refreshment break. You are welcome to attend one talk, or both. They are free – and there will be an opportunity to ask questions of Mike.
Mike Fisher worked for the Christchurch City Council in New Zealand before and after the earthquakes of 2010 & 2011. At the Christchurch City Council, he was the Team Leader of Urban Regeneration, where he led a team to support a range of community-led, creative placemaking projects to bring life back to the city.
Mike has worked for over 16 years in placemaking, urban regeneration and planning projects across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He currently has his own small practice (www.urbantacticians.com) based in New Zealand, supporting government, the private sector and communities work together on various placemaking and planning initiatives.
Demolition of Park Terrace, Christchurch, after the earthquakes
In Adelaide, Australia, Mike was formally the Placemaking Coordinator, and also acting Manager of City Planning & Development, at the Adelaide City Council where he led the implementation of the City’s bold Placemaking Strategy.
“Greening the rubble” play park
We look forward to learning from the lessons of Christchurch and Adelaide – cities that built and rebuilt through the creative application of placemaking principles. Mike Fisher’s talks will be introduced by City of Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. Our thanks to the Office of the Mayor (City of Victoria) for funding support, and to Sidney urbanist Ian Wight for helping us make this international connection!
We hope to see you on the morning of December 12 at Victoria City Hall (Council Chambers).
