Cityscape talks to Mark Doyle, Fletcher Living Community and Stakeholder Manager, who has engaged Gap Filler to ‘activate’ empty building lots with everything from a forest of hammocks to Fatboy Slim gigs, and asks him if this is the most fun he’s had at work.

How did you come to be working with Gap Filler on these projects? In December 2015 Fletcher Living signed a development agreement with the Crown to redevelop the central-city area known as the East Frame. A development of this size can’t go up overnight, so Fletcher Living looked to develop a strategy that would deliver this neighbourhood over a period of time, while activating the parcels of land scheduled to be built upon at later stages. We wanted to bring down the fences, open up the area and establish a diverse range of activities, social enterprise initiatives and public amenities – exploring ways we could grow and sustain a residential community of the future. So the search for an urban-regeneration/social-enterprise partner began. After a thorough search we teamed up with Gap Filler, who had been successfully activating earthquake-affected areas of Christchurch’s central city. ‘Placemaking at One Central’ was born, a partnership between Fletcher Living and Gap Filler. This was a first for New Zealand. The programme started in November 2017 and explores how temporary activations can help foster positive long-term community outcomes within a new development, as well as bringing people back into the heart of the city.

What do you consider the successes? There are so many that have turned out better than expected – the pump track, the basketball court and climbing boulders, the Spray Can Art installation, the heritage mini-golf, the Hammock Forest, the new venue that has featured Fatboy Slim and other renowned artists. Gap Filler have also created amazing partnerships with Te Whare Roimata, the Christchurch Youth Council and the Canterbury Youth Workers Collective.

Is this the most fun you’ve had at work? Definitely. To see the smiles on children’s faces, mine included, when playing on the pump track, the mini golf or the basketball court just makes you feel like it’s all worth it. And there’s more to come – I’m really looking forward to seeing the new #Chchswing going in. The whole Instagram-able aspect to it is kind of cool too.

fletcherliving.co.nz