Case Studies 

Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

*Nominee 

Greening the Rubble

Christchurch

New Zealand

Contributed by 
Project for Public Spaces
 on 
June 15, 2016
May 1, 2024

What makes it Great?

Why it doesn't work?

In the aftermath of Christchurch’s 2010 earthquakes, Greening the Rubble assembled in December of that year to help the Placemaking group Gap Fillers organize a pop-up outdoor movie screening with live music on a recently demolished building site. Since then, the group’s focus has grown to include not just experts in site preparation, insurance, and permitting, but also landscaping, design, and construction. From modest beginnings focused on small space events coordination, Greening the Rubble has gone on to create temporary public parks and gardens on vacant land left fallow in the wake of the quake.

By combining the landowners’ permissions and financial support with extensive sponsorship opportunities for materials vendors, Greening the Rubble finances their projects through their value-added services to not only the local economy, but the enhanced aspects of community. In line with these business-oriented incentives, Greening the Rubble places a majority of its installations along commercial corridors, where retail foot traffic populates the parks in a mutual strengthening of the area’s identity as a vibrant destination. 

Access & Linkages

Comfort & Image

Uses & Activities

Sociability

How Light?

How Quick?

How Cheap?

History & Background

Related Links & Sources

Photo credits, from left: Jocelyn Kinghor via Flickr, Steel Wool via Flickr, Joceylyn Kinghor via Flickr

Follow Greening the Rubble

Website: greeningtherubble.org.nz/wp/

Greening the Rubble
Repurposed materials create a “Sound Garden”, mitigating the effects of loud construction
Greening the Rubble
Newly transformed spaces are activated with music
Greening the Rubble
Greening the Rubble
Greening the Rubble
Greening the Rubble
Greening the Rubble
Greening the Rubble

*Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

NOMINATE A PLACE

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