“GR were engaged to help CERA gather and synthesize public feedback on a draft residential chapter for the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. Given the volume and breadth of public comments, GRs service proved to be invaluable. All GRs advice, tasks and reporting were delivered in a timely manner and to a high standard.”
Background and aims
Christchurch’s central city was decimated by 2010/2011 earthquakes, around quarter of all buildings and half of buildings five stories or higher were damaged beyond repair.
In 2014 CERA developed a draft residential chapter titled A Liveable City to add to the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. The draft chapter proposed some changes to the Christchurch City Plan (the District Plan). It put forward a vision and objectives for central city living, along with several initiatives to stimulate the development of housing and communities, and in this way help central Christchurch to recover and thrive.
The Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery sought written public comment on the draft residential chapter in July and August 2014. The aim of the comments process was to inform the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery of public opinion on the draft chapter before the chapter was finalised.
Our role
Global Research was contracted to develop a questioning approach which efficiently and effectively measured stakeholders’ and citizens’ opinions on the draft chapter and to also complete the collation, synthesis, analysis and reporting on all received comments.
Design and method
In collaboration with CERA, we developed an online survey style questionnaire. The survey asked for comments on specific areas of the draft chapter as well as overall comments. Through filter questions respondents could select the specific question areas they wished to answer, which reduced respondent fatigue and increased response quality. Commenters could also submit their ideas via paper responses.
Global Research then analysed all the comments received and provided reports to CERA.
Result
The Minister received 184 comments from individuals and organisations. Based on the comments CERA officials were able to understand public opinion on the draft chapter and provide advice to the Minister on recommended revisions.
Outcome
Christchurch citizens have a planning framework through A Liveable City that enables residential development required to accommodate a growing number of people living in the central city into the future, as well as create a high quality living environment.