Story: Streets and lighting

Christchurch lanes

Most cities were laid out on a grid plan with regularly spaced streets. As populations grew land became more valuable and was subdivided into smaller allotments. Lanes and alleys were built to provide access to these areas. This 1883 map highlights the number of lanes in central Christchurch. The area between Lichfield and Tuam streets is still popularly known as ‘The Lanes’.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: MapColl 834.4492a/1883/Acc.3166

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Adrian Humphris, 'Streets and lighting - Building and funding streets', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/24457/christchurch-lanes (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Adrian Humphris, published 11 Mar 2010