Located on the edge of two tectonic plates, New Zealand has numerous fault lines and seismic risk across the whole country. The way this risk is communicated affects whether people prepare effectively or at all. Research has shown that perceptions of risk are affected by slight changes in wording, and that probabilities commonly reported by experts and media are often interpreted subjectively based on context. In the context of volcanoes, research has found that given a certain probability of a volcano in a specific time window, people perceive risk as higher in later time intervals within that window. The present study examines this pattern with regard to earthquakes and aftershocks in the New Zealand context. Participants in both Wellington (N = 102) and Christchurch (N = 98) were presented an expert statement of earthquake risk within a given time window in Wellington and aftershock risk in Christchurch, and asked to rate their perception of risk in specific intervals across the time window. For a Wellington earthquake, participants perceived risk as incrementally higher toward the end of the 50 year time window whereas for a Christchurch aftershock, risk perception increased slightly for the first three intervals of the 12 month time window. Likelihood of preparing was constant over the time windows, with Wellington citizens rating themselves more likely than Christchurch citizens to prepare for either an earthquake or aftershock, irrespective of current level of preparedness. These findings suggest that people view earthquakes as more likely later toward the end of a given time window and that they view aftershocks very differently to scientific predictions.
When the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, at 12.51pm on 22nd February 2011, the psychological and physical landscape was irrevocably changed. In the days and weeks following the disaster communities were isolated due to failed infrastructure, continuing aftershocks and the extensive search and rescue effort which focussed resources on the central business district. In such moments the resilience of a community is truly tested. This research discusses the role of grassroots community groups in facilitating community resilience during the Christchurch 2010/11 earthquakes and the role of place in doing so. I argue that place specific strategies for urban resilience need to be enacted from a grassroots level while being supported by broader policies and agencies. Using a case study of Project Lyttelton – a group aspiring towards a resilient sustainable future who were caught at the epicentre of the February earthquake – I demonstrate the role of a community group in creating resilience through self-organised place specific action during a disaster. The group provided emotional care, basic facilities and rebuilding assistance to the residents of Lyttelton, proving to be an invaluable asset. These actions are closely linked to the characteristics of social support and social learning that have been identified as important to socio-ecological resilience. In addition this research will seek to understand and explore the nuances of place and identity and its role in shaping resilience to such dis-placing events. Drawing on community narratives of the displacement of place identity, the potential for a progressive sense of place as instigated by local groups will be investigated as an avenue for adaptation by communities at risk of disaster and place destabilisation.
Wednesday 6 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-06IMG_2942 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_4022 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Wednesday 6 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-06IMG_2943 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_3992 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_3951 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Wednesday 6 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-06IMG_2944 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_3980 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_3954 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Wednesday 6 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-06IMG_2949 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_3958 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_4017 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Peter Majende, artist. Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_4001 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Peter Majende, artist. Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_3999 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Wednesday 6 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-06IMG_2945 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_4005 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_3978 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Re:START Mall, Cashel Street, Christchurch. Friday 22 February 2013. File reference: CCL-2013 -02-22-IMG_4090 From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.
Tuesday 30 July 2013.
On a walk around the neighbourhood, December 3, 2013, Christchurch New Zealand. www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/avenues/featu...
The earthquake re-pair work has started on the Knox Church on Bealey Avenue, August 14, 2013 Christchurch New Zealand. While building after building is torn down in Christchurch, plans are in place to ensure as much of a 131-year-old church is retained as possible. Knox Church on Bealey Avenue suffered major damage in the February 22 earthquak...
What I found on a walk around the city Christchurch November 20, 2013 New Zealand. www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Christchurch_earthquake
Knox Church earthquake repair/rebuild on a walk around Christchurch December 11, 2013 New Zealand. www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-20... All about our ear...
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Mackenzie and Willis building behind
This is still cordoned off and there was a fire since the quakes
As seen from Hereford St over the demolition of the corner buildings.
A new installation.