Living Labs - BEYOND ADAPTATION

Disaster Recovery: Water, walls and wetlands: Science, resilience and adaptation in action 

Location: Christchurch/ Ōtautahi
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Details: Depart Te Pae at 9.30am returning to Te Pae by 4.30pm. A packed lunch will be provided.

The Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor comprises 600ha of land in eastern Christchurch, which was ‘red zoned’ after the earthquakes of 2010/2011 and the houses subsequently removed.  Parts of the Corridor sunk by up to a metre, effectively experiencing 100 years of sea level rise instantly.  This Living Lab will visit a range of sites, exploring our science-based approach in restoring this land and returning it to a mix of ecological, recreation, flood protection, water quality and housing outcomes. An underpinning objective of the Corridor is for it to become a ‘living laboratory’. This allows trials of new approaches to reduce emissions and costs typically associated with brownfield remediation and improve restoration outcomes. While some initiatives are more advanced than others, the day will cover:

Stormwater & Flood Resilience

•         Stopbanks vs floodwalls, options for future adaptation and enabling community engagement

Nature-Based Solutions:

•         Bioremediation of road contamination

•         Natural regeneration of estuarine wetlands

•         Biochar treatment of water contamination 

•         Phytoremediation of soil contamination

Carbon Sequestration & Soil Health: 

•         Addition of carbon to soils, and remote verification of results

•         Cultivating and improving degraded brownfields soils to improve plant growth

Innovative Material Use

•         Biogenic asphalt 

•         Use of recycled materials and alternative materials in park furniture

Ongoing stewardship and funding

•         Community governance model, tour of the Richmond Community Garden

•         Creation of productive landscapes and the voluntary carbon market

•         Funding ongoing management via housing/activity zones

We aim to prove that environmental responsibility can also make economic sense, and that the merits of restoration work should not be solely judged on ‘doing the right thing’.

Please bring a water bottle, warm clothing and sturdy footwear. 

Antarctic Insights: Shaping Global Adaptation Strategies

Location: International Antarctic Centre Christchurch / Ōtautahi 
Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Details: Depart Te Pae at 9.30am returning to Te Pae by 12.30pm. 

Experience how Antarctic science is shaping the world’s adaptation response through our exclusive Living Lab, hosted as part of the Adaptation Futures Conference.
This immersive session includes a guided tour of the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch’s hub for Antarctic education and engagement.

You will then hear from experts in Antarctic operations, research, and business, who will explain how national and international collaboration delivers critical insights into Antarctica’s climate and ecosystems, insights that are globally significant. From accelerating ice melt and sea-level rise to shifting ecosystems and atmospheric dynamics, discover how Antarctic science underpins adaptation strategies impacting global communities, particularly Pacific communities and coastal settlements

Learn how Antarctica New Zealand supports this vital research, and the critical role Christchurch plays as a global gateway for climate science collaboration.