The 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes, which involved widespread damage during the February 2011 event and ongoing aftershocks near the Christchurch Central Business District, left this community with more than $NZD 40 billion in losses (~20 % GDP), demolition of approximately 60 % of multi-storey concrete buildings (3 storeys and up), and closure of the core business district for over 2 years. The aftermath of the earthquake sequence has revealed unique issues and complexities for the owners of commercial and multi-storey residential buildings in relation to unexpected technical, legal, and financial challenges when making decisions regarding the future of their buildings impacted by the earthquakes. The paper presents a framework to understand the factors influencing post-earthquake decisions (repair or demolish) on multi-storey concrete buildings in Christchurch. The study, conducted in 2014, includes in-depth investigations on 15 case-study buildings using 27 semi-structured interviews with various property owners, property managers, insurers, engineers, and government authorities in New Zealand. The interviews revealed insights regarding the multitude of factors influencing post-earthquake decisions and losses. As expected, the level of damage and repairability (cost to repair) generally dictated the course of action. There is strong evidence, however, that other variables have significantly influenced the decision on a number of buildings, such as insurance, business strategies, perception of risks, building regulations (and compliance costs), and government decisions. The decision-making process for each building is complex and unique, not solely driven by structural damage. Furthermore, the findings have put the spotlight on insurance policy wordings and the paradoxical effect of insurance on the recovery of Christchurch, leading to other challenges and issues going forward.
The entrance to the West Avon building on Montreal Street. The photographer comments, "This very wonderful Art Deco heritage building in Christchurch had residents living in it until another visit from the building engineers re-re-checking for earthquake damage. Now it is fenced off and on the list for possible demolition".
A photograph of earthquake damage to the Crown Masonic Lodge on Wordsworth Street, also known as the Freemasons Centre. The brick wall on one side of the building has collapsed, exposing the interior.
A photograph of earthquake damage to the Crown Masonic Lodge on Wordsworth Street, also known as the Freemasons Centre. The brick wall on one side of the building has collapsed, exposing the interior.
A photograph of earthquake damage to the Crown Masonic Lodge on Wordsworth Street, also known as the Freemasons Centre. The brick wall on one side of the building has collapsed, exposing the interior.
A photograph of earthquake damage to the Crown Masonic Lodge on Wordsworth Street, also known as the Freemasons Centre. The brick wall on one side of the building has collapsed, exposing the interior.
Donations to the Canterbury earthquake fund now total about $11 million. It comes as the Government announced early details of a recovery plan for people wanting money to fix their damaged homes or start rebuilding.
Eleven million dollars has been donated so far to the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal. It comes as the Government announced early details of a recovery plan for people wanting money to fix their damaged homes or start rebuilding.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 14 July 2013 entitled, "Memories of McLean's Mansion".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 24 October 2011 entitled, "Don't ask, don't tell".
A former works manager for Fletcher EQR says assessors didn't check behind walls or under floors to examine the true extent of damage caused by the Christchurch earthquakes because there wasn't enough time.
The "Lyttelton Harbour Review" newsletter for 4 February 2013, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
An entry from Roz Johnson's blog for 3 June 2012 entitled, "Grubb Cottage Gets the Warm Fuzzies".
More than 11,000 people reported feeling the earthquake that hit just after 2am on Friday. The magnitude 4.8 quake was centred 5-kilometres south of Te Aroha, at a depth of 6-kilometres. People from Kaitaia, through to the sodden regions of Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, and even down in Christchurch, reported feeling it. A series of weaker aftershocks began to strike 40 minutes later, although there are no immediate reports of damage as of yet. It's not the first quake to hit Te Aroha this year - a 5.1 quake rattled the town on January 4. Te Kuiti resident Zane Burdett and Kees Meinderts from Motumaoho, just south of Morrinsville, spoke to Corin Dann.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre reopened today after sustaining damage in the September earthquake. From left: Zeke Degouw (7), Caroline Henry (7), Teagan Maxted (10) and Tyler Maxted (8)".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Demolition of Manchester Courts building continues with beams now exposed. The heritage building was severely damaged by the September earthquake. Demolition workers visible in top left corner".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Demolition of Manchester Courts building continues with beams now exposed. The heritage building was severely damaged by the September earthquake. Demolition workers visible in top left corner".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Demolition of Manchester Courts building continues with beams now exposed. The heritage building was severely damaged by the September earthquake. Demolition workers visible in top left corner".
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the City Council Civic Offices on Manchester Street. Red stickers have been taped to the door, indicating that the building is unsafe to enter.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Jennifer Savage and Andrew Dutton were booked to be married in the St Johns Church in Latimer Square that was damaged in the earthquake. Rebecca Todd story".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Homebush, one of the old Canterbury homesteads owned by the Deans family, lies not far from the Darfield epicentre and has been severely damaged".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake in Christchurch. Homebush, one of the old Canterbury homesteads owned by the Deans family, lies not far from the Darfield epicentre and has been severely damaged".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch earthquake. The Press makeshift news room in the paper sales building Gloucester Street after The Press was declared unsafe after a large aftershock caused further damage".
A photograph of the earthquake damage to the City Council Civic Offices on Manchester Street. Red stickers have been taped to the door, indicating that the building is unsafe to enter.
This afternoon the Government will announce its initial package to deal with land badly damaged by earthquakes in Christchurch, including offering a pay out to households who want to take the cash.
The Christchurch City Council has voted to fast track the demolition of two heritage buildings that it says were severely damaged in September's earthquake and pose an immediate danger to people's safety.
Most of Christchurch's earthquake damaged red zones are now almost clear of homes, but just over a hundred homeowners are now learning what life will be like once everyone else has gone.
The Christchurch City councillor in charge of council housing says he accepts trenchant criticism from the Earthquake Recovery Minister that the council has been woeful in fixing its quake-damaged housing stock.
A photograph of a dusty monitor in an earthquake-damaged building on Poplar Street taken during the Residential Access Project. The Residential Access Project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Dislodged bricks can also be seen around the monitor.
A photograph of workers in fluorescent vests standing in front of the earthquake damaged McKenzie and Willis Building. The photograph was taken on 29 April 2011 during the Residential Access Project which gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.