Sustainable living, Things to do  |  2 Nov 2021

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What would the world be like if you could get most of what you need for everyday life within a 15-minute walk or bike ride?

That is one of the questions that will be explored this weekend as part of the last events in the Christchurch Conversations: Towards 2030 series.

The series, in which Christchurch City Council is a partner, looks at how we can achieve our climate goals as a city.

This weekend’s first event begins at 1.30pm on Saturday at Tūranga with a presentation on 15 Minute Neighbourhoods, which explores ideas of liveability, community, density and reducing emissions.

Speakers including architect and planner James Lunday, transport planner Hamid Mirbaha, and Te Pūtahi director Dr Jessica Halliday will then talk about the idea of Christchurch as a city of 15-minute neighbourhoods and what that would mean for people’s lives and for the planet.

A second event on Sunday at 1.30pm – also at Tūranga - will focus on Moving Around a 21st Century and will look at ways we can decarbonise travel.  Speakers at this event include Stewart Gibbon, the general manager for public transport at Environment Canterbury and transport experts Professor Simon Kingham and Caroline Shaw.

There is also an Info Expo from 11am to 1pm where people can explore the many different ways of cutting carbon in day-to-day travel, chat to those supporting low GHG emission transport options, and check out electric vehicles, scooters and bikes.

Director of Te Pūtahi, Dr Jessica Halliday, says Christchurch Conversations enable the public to engage in the future of the city.

"For the final two events in this series - 15-minute neighbourhoods and transport - we'll be thinking about how we can improve our daily lives, health and housing, through the same actions that will address the climate crisis."

People can attend the weekend’s events in person or join in online.

Register to join 15 Minute Neighbourhoods

Register to join Moving Around a 21st Century City.

If there is a change in COVID-19 alert levels before the weekend, any changes to the events will be notified on Te Pūtahi’s Facebook page. 

Pictured above: Jane and Jeremy use their bikes to get to the places they want to go within a 15-minute cycle of their home. Rauora Park by ProjectStory for Boffa Miskell