The river corridor is probably the largest area of managed retreat in an urban centre worldwide. How can our experience inform processes of managed retreat elsewhere? The question is central to this project, which has developed a model of ‘retreat’, ‘relocation’ and ‘re-imagining’. Re-imagining asks how can the land be re-used for projects that further lower environmental and social risks.
Soil Contamination
Turning Waste into Climate-Resilient Soils for Communities
Researchers at the University of Canterbury are investigating whether materials such as green-waste compost, biochar and sawdust can help reduce the risks associated with heavy-metal contamination in Christchurch's Red Zone.
The project is also examining whether native plants can help build soil carbon and support ecological restoration. Researchers say the approach could be considerably cheaper than excavating contaminated soil and sending it to landfill.
UC PhD candidates Mingyuan Liu and Jack Lloyd-Scott.
The research involves UC academics Professor Brett Robinson and Dr Maria Gutierrez Gines, alongside PhD candidates Mingyuan Liu and Jack Lloyd-Scott. The project has received support from Christchurch City Council and Horizon Europe.
Based on research reported by the University of Canterbury. Click here to read the full original article:
References:
University of Canterbury. (2026). Turning Waste into Climate-Resilient Soils for Communities. https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2026/turning-waste-into-climate-resilient-soils-for-communities--