This bird’s-eye view over Christchurch highlights public spaces in the central city before the earthquake of February 2011. Spaces provided for in the original plan of the city include: Cathedral, Latimer and Cranmer squares, and Hagley Park. While the spire of the Cathedral was dwarfed by skyscrapers, Cathedral Square was at the city’s heart and remained its premier public space. Latimer and Cranmer squares were well-used parks located diagonally opposite each other. Hagely Park was set aside as public reserve and is New Zealand’s largest urban park. Subsequent important public spaces included: Victoria Square, which the Avon River runs through; City Mall, a pedestrianised part of Cashel Street; and The Strip, an area of street cafes and night spots. In the earthquake of February 2011, the cathedral was badly damaged and the spire collapsed, and buildings in the City Mall and The Strip were severely damaged. The Strip did not survive the earthquake.