World leading urbanist speaking in Christchurch

The man behind the transformation of city life in Barcelona is coming to Christchurch.

Leading urbanist Salvador Rueda will speak at the first Christchurch Conversations of the year on Thursday 7 March from 6pm in Tūranga’s TSB Space.

Presented by Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City Making, An Urban Revolution to Transform City Life, will centre around Mr Rueda’s work taking street space traditionally used for motor vehicles and opening it up to things like walking, cycling, play and markets.

Register for the free event here.

“We are so thrilled to have Salvador here, to kick this year’s Christchurch Conversations series off,” Te Pūtahi Director Jessica Halliday said.

“He will be talking about the concept of Superblocks - a simple but revolutionary tool Barcelona is adopting to transform city life.”

“These Superblocks have resulted in some amazing outcomes and Salvador now advises on their implementation across Europe and the Americas. Thursday night is an opportunity to consider how they could be applicable in our own city of Ōtautahi Christchurch,” she said.

The Christchurch Conversations series will run throughout winter 2024 and will focus on Neighbourhood Transformations.

“Our programme of free events will invite local and international thought-leaders to Ōtautahi to inspire and challenge us on what the future of the city might look like,” Ms Halliday said.

The Christchurch Conversations 2024 programme is supported by the Christchurch City Council’s Sustainability Fund and is supported by the Amanda Yates from AUT He Puna Ora Regenerative Action Lab.

Salvador Rueda’s visit to Ōtautahi is supported by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the University of Canterbury, and Flow Transportation Specialists is the hosting sponsor for Salvador’s Christchurch Conversation