
Two days after the 22 February 2011 M6.3 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, three of the authors conducted a transect of the central city, with the goal of deriving an estimate of building damage levels. Although smaller in magnitude than the M7.1 4 September 2010 Darfield earthquake, the ground accelerations, ground deformation and damage levels in Christchurch central city were more severe in February 2011, and the central city was closed down to the general public. Written and photographic notes of 295 buildings were taken, including construction type, damage level, and whether the building would likely need to be demolished. The results of the transect compared favourably to Civil Defence rapid assessments made over the following month. Now, more than one year and two major aftershocks after the February 2011 earthquake these initial estimates are compared to the current demolition status to provide an updated understanding of the state of central Christchurch.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Snow in the central city red zone. The intersection of Hereford and Manchester Streets, south-east view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Snow in the central city red zone. The intersection of Hereford and Manchester Streets, south-west view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Snow in the central city red zone. The intersection of Hereford and Manchester Streets, north-east view".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Snow in the central city red zone. The intersection of Hereford and Manchester Streets, north-west view".
The Minister for Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, is due to give the government's response to the Christchurch City Council's draft central city plan tomorrow.
A photograph of a cairn created in protest against the removal of democratically elected Environment Canterbury councillors and their replacement by centrally appointed commissioners.
A photograph of a cairn created in protest against the removal of democratically elected Environment Canterbury councillors and their replacement by centrally appointed commissioners.
When the earthquake demolished Christchurch's central business district, some business owners had no option but to pack up and start again in a different city.
The creation of a new unit within the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority to oversee the rebuilding of central Christchurch is being welcomed by business leaders.
A photograph of the NewstalkZB building. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Looking down Oxford Terrace, River Avon to right, towards Central City".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Brannigans, Oxford Terrace".
A year and a half after the February Earthquake, economics has ensured much of the waste material coming out of Christchurch's central city has been recycled.
The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission has tried to determine exactly who should have put a cordon around a central Christchurch building identified as an earthquake risk.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Copthorne Hotel reflected in the Avon River".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Demolition of the Brannigans Building".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Copthorne Hotel, Colombo Street".
A photograph of a crane outside the former Christchurch City Council building on Tuam Street.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The new Press building on Gloucester Street at dusk. The central city red zone now has office workers and lights on".
A graffiti paste-up of a digger on the side of a building in the central city. The artist has added a speech bubble reading, "Nom, nom".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The lights are on at the new Press building, the first office workers to return to the central city red zone".
Since September 2010 Christchurch, New Zealand, has experienced a number of significant earthquakes. In addition to loss of life, this has resulted in significant destruction to infrastructure, including road corridors; and buildings, especially in the central city, where it has been estimated that 60% of buildings will need to be rebuilt. The rebuild and renewal of Christchurch has initially focused on the central city under the direction of the Christchurch City Council. This has seen the development of a draft Central City Plan that includes a number of initiatives that should encourage the use of the bicycle as a mode of transport. The rebuild and renewal of the remainder of the city is under the jurisdiction of a specially set up authority, the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA). CERA reports to an appointed Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, who is responsible for coordinating the planning, spending, and actual rebuilding work needed for the recovery. Their plans for the renewal and rebuild of the remainder of the city are not yet known. This presentation will examine the potential role of the bicycle as a mode of transport in a rebuilt Christchurch. The presentation will start by describing the nature of damage to Christchurch as a result of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. It will then review the Central City Plan (the plan for the rebuild and renewal for central Christchurch) focusing particularly on those aspects that affect the role of the bicycle. The potential for the success of this plan will be assessed. It will specifically reflect on this in light of some recent research in Christchurch that examined the importance of getting infrastructure right if an aim of transport planning is to attract new people to cycle for utilitarian reasons.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Provincial Council Chambers".
Cathedral Square hosted one of New Zealand’s most significant historic events after the armistice was signed by the Western Allies and the Central Powers on 11th November 1918 in Paris, Franc…
A photograph of temporary street furniture outside the temporary Central Library on Tuam Street. The furniture was designed and fabricated by F3 Design for the Christchurch City Council.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Canterbury Earthquakes will today begin to examine the failure of the building that's come to symbolise the damage to the central city.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The intersection of Colombo and Armagh Streets looking north".
A photograph of volunteers constructing the Life in Vacant Spaces headquarters.
A photograph of the '185 Empty Chairs' memorial installation.
A photograph of the '185 Empty Chairs' memorial installation.