Understanding Place: A participatory archival project mapping stories in the Residential Red Zone

Tuesday November 20th, 1:30pm-1:55pm @ Angus - Breakout Room

Understanding Place is a digital research project funded by MBIE Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities and hosted by the University of Canterbury Arts Digital Lab. The project focuses on Christchurch’s Ōtākaro Avon Regeneration Corridor (also known as the Residential Red Zone), which is a large area of severely quake-damaged land that once housed over 5000 residents prior to the quakes. As the redevelopment of that land begins, this project uses digital archiving and mapping tools to draw together and archive stories, memories, and experiences of the Residential Red Zone for the benefit of both residents and planners. In this paper we describe how we developed the tool and discuss how the project draws on current thinking in archival theory and web mapping methods. Further, we discuss our collaboration and engagement with key local stakeholders Regenerate Christchurch and the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre. The paper ultimately explores the potential for participatory and collaborative web archives/maps to respond to transitional landscapes and to offer a digital medium for individual and community memory.

Jennifer Middendorf , UC Arts Digital Lab, UC Arts Digital Lab, Co-ordinator

Jennifer Rees , UC Arts Digital Lab, Digital Projects Specialist

Samuel Hope , UC Arts Digital Lab, Digital Projects Specialist