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Imagined landscapes find their form in utopian dreaming. As ideal places, utopias are set up according to the ideals of their designers. Inevitably, utopias become compromised when they move from the imaginary into the actual. Opportunities to create utopias rely largely on a blank slate, a landscape unimpeded by the inconveniences of existing occupation – or even topography. Christchurch has seen two utopian moments. The first was at the time of European settlement in the mid-nineteenth century, when imported ideals provided a model for a new city. The earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 provided a second point at which utopian dreaming spurred visions for the city. Christchurch’s earthquakes have provided a unique opportunity for a city to re-imagine itself. Yet, as is the fate for all imaginary places, reality got in the way.
Road cones along the side of Halswell Road where the road has been repaired and sealed after slumping. There are still cracks in the footpath and curb.
Workers repairing water mains along Galbraith Avenue in Avonside. A blue pipe carrying a temporary water supply to the neighbourhood can be seen running across the park.
A view of the High to Hereford food court building from Hereford Street.
A photograph of St John's Anglican Church in Hororata. The spire of the church, which partially collapsed in the 4 September earthquake, has been boarded up in order to protect the building from rain. This photograph was modelled off an image taken by BeckerFraserPhotos in October 2010.
A photograph of St John's Anglican Church in Hororata. The spire of the church, which partially collapsed in the 4 September earthquake, has been boarded up in order to protect the building from rain. This photograph was modelled off an image taken by BeckerFraserPhotos in October 2010.
Reinforcement steel protrudes from a bank which is supporting a walkway on Sumner Road. Excavators are lined up on the left-hand side of the road. A sign reading, 'Rebuilding for our future' hangs on the security fence.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Telecom building, the Old Exchange Building and the Old Post Office are all in this photo as well as the Millennium Hotel and a few cranes".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Sam Crofskey of C1 Coffee standing in the ground floor space of the Alice in Videoland that he is fitting out for his coffee roastery and cafe".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The demolition of most of the block bounded by Colombo, High and Cashel Streets. The only building remaining is 273-277 High Street".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The demolition of most of the block bounded by Colombo, High and Cashel Streets. The only building remaining is 273-277 High Street".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The demolition of most of the block bounded by Colombo, High and Cashel Streets. The only building remaining is 273-277 High Street".
A photograph submitted by Ginny Larsen to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "The pile of rubble left after demolition of the block of shops on Cranford Street.".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Looking south along Manchester Street from Kilmore Street to the giant crane being readied for the demolition of the Hotel Grand Chancellor".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Looking south along Manchester Street from Kilmore Street to the giant crane being readied for the demolition of the Hotel Grand Chancellor".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Craig's Investment Partners House looking very dirty after forteen months without the glass being cleaned as well as demolitions happening around it".
A truck for carrying demolition rubble parked on Colombo Street, with the Forsyth Barr building visible in the background. Decorations from Christmas 2010 are still hanging from lamp posts.
A photograph of a crane working on the demolition of the Hotel Grand Chancellor. The photograph was taken from the car park of PAK'nSAVE on Moorhouse Avenue.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Hereford Street with a digger parked on the demolition debris from IBIS House (home of Alliance Francaise). Torrens House is to the right".
A road roller parked on the side of Banks Avenue. The street is under repair and has a gravel surface. The photographer comments, "Road works in Banks Avenue".