City designs should aspire to do more than simply create spaces that are new, functional and attractive. They must assure that a new environment will change behaviours and attitudes. Over the years, the City of Christchurch has evolved from a Walking City to a Transit City and now a Car dominant City, which places the needs of automobiles before the needs of people. Now with the post-earthquake recovery initiatives, there is an opportunity to address the vital needs of pedestrians before any other mode of transport. This thesis proposes design solutions to create a pedestrian corridor – supportive of a People First City context and vision. Through the means of a bypass, motorists from areas of the inner city are diverted while the pedestrian corridor is designed to provide a particular ‘experience’ and focused on influencing social interaction and probabilistic encounter. Additionally, it is expected to reduce reliance on a single-use automotive transport, which in turn reduces traffic, improves air quality and promotes a sustainable way of life in Christchurch.