Why is the draft Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan needed?

Over the past 15 years, Greater Christchurch has grown rapidly. By 2050, more than 700,000 people are projected to be living in the Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts – 30% more than there are today, with the population potentially doubling to 1 million people within the next 60 years, if not earlier.

To help avoid future growing pains, the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti asked residents in early 2023 how they thought we should tackle important issues such as responding to climate change, preserving the environment, making our region more resilient to natural disasters, and making housing more affordable. This engagement and our work to develop the evidence base has informed the development of the draft Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan.

In 2022, the Greater Christchurch Partnership and the Crown established an Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch – the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti. The partnership is focused on shared objectives related to affordable housing, emissions reduction, and creating liveable and resilient urban areas. The first priority of the partnership is to develop the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan.

The purpose of the Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan is to:

• Set a desired urban form for a projected population of 700,000 (to 2051) and beyond that to 1 million people to ensure Greater Christchurch is future-proofed in the context of population growth and climate change.
• Deliver the top priority of the Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch to develop a Spatial Plan that coordinates and aligns the aspirations of central government, local government and mana whenua.
• Satisfy the requirements of the National Policy Statement on Urban Development for the Greater Christchurch Councils to jointly prepare a Future Development Strategy.