Building more houses on green-field sites is unsustainable and unacceptable, says the chairwoman of the Christchurch City Council's Environment Committee, Anna Crighton.

She says the world must look at compact cities and the new cities have to create a quality of life and vitality that makes urban living desirable.

Cr. Crighton said this when thanking environmentalists and volunteers at a function last night.

She said one of the key political challenges was to make Christchurch sustainable and a vibrant place to live in. "It must be a place that builds on the past and challenges the future," she said.

"There is no single solution and we need co-ordinated action based on the joint principles of design excellence, economic strength, environmental responsibility, good governance and social wellbeing."

The gobbling up of valuable natural resources was an ecological threat that was leading towards the understanding of the importance of sustainable development, she said.

To bring change in urban living all organisations and groups - central Government, Environment Canterbury, the City Council, and citizens - had to forge partnerships.

"We must encourage a more open and democratic political framework based on participation," she said "Our city is vulnerable. The importance of achieving higher environmental standards in the places we build, as well as protecting existing natural environments from damage is one of our greatest challenges," Kr Crighton said.

Without the work of volunteers the city would not have the Travis Wetland Heritage Park, the Bexley Wetlands or the recreational reserves on the Port Hills, she said.

"It would be unthinkable if we did not have the Arts Centre, the Theatre Royal, the Nurses' Memorial Chapel and many more."

Without community groups and voluntary hours of work there would not be aspects of our past to bring to the future, she said.

Contact: Cr. Anna Crighton: 025 983 206.

Christchurch City Council http://www.ccc.govt.nz

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