Christchurch’s Red Zone Stories app recalls place to call home

Former red zone residents can share their stories of special places via a free app.

Developed by the University of Canterbury Arts Digital Lab, Red Zone Stories enables people to record and upload videos as they share impressions about their important places.

A new app lets people share memories of important red zone places.

It aims to secure the personal histories of the area and also provides an opportunity for people to outline their hopes for the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.

The app and associated website present those stories on a map-based platform.

The app is being launched at Tūranga at 5.45pm on Wednesday, with Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Avon-Ōtākaro Network Co-chairman Evan Smith, Coastal-Burwood Community Board member Linda Stewart and UC Head of the School of Humanities and Creative Arts Professor Paul Millar highlighting the importance of telling the stories of the land and local communities.

UC Arts Digital Lab Co-director Associate Professor Donald Matheson says the storytelling project builds both an archive of what the red zone means to people and a resource for decision-makers about the area.

“The red zone is not empty space, but full of history, stories and personal connections,” he says.

“As we get further from the time of the quakes and the physical traces of the homes, schools and other places fade, it’s important we record what this land means to people.”

Two app use workshops will be held at Tūranga on Friday, 5 April at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.