At the conclusion of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes more than 5100 homes had been deemed unsafe for habitation. The land and buildings of these were labelled “red zoned” and are too badly damaged for remediation. These homes have been demolished or are destined for demolition. To assist the red zone population to relocate, central government have offered to ‘buy out’ home owners at the Governmental Value (GV) that was last reviewed in 2007. While generous in the economic context at the time, the area affected was the lowest value land and housing in Christchurch and so there is a capital shortfall between the 2007 property value and the cost of relocating to more expensive properties. This shortfall is made worse by increasing present day values since the earthquakes. Red zone residents have had to relocate to the far North and Western extremities of Christchurch, and some chose to move even further to neighbouring towns or cities. The eastern areas and commercial centres close to the red zone are affected as well. They have lost critical mass which has negatively impacted businesses in the catchments of the Red Zone. This thesis aims to repopulate the suburbs most affected by the abandonment of the red zone houses. Because of the relative scarcity of sound building sites in the East and to introduce affordability to these houses, an alternative method of development is required than the existing low density suburban model. Smart medium density design will be tested as an affordable and appropriate means of living. Existing knowledge in this field will be reviewed, an analysis of what East Christchurch’s key characteristics are will occur, and an examination of built works and site investigations will also be conducted. The research finds that at housing densities of 40 units per hectare, the spatial, vehicle, aesthetic needs of East Christchurch can be accommodated. Centralising development is also found to offer better lifestyle choices than the isolated suburbs at the edges of Christchurch, to be more efficient using existing infrastructure, and to place less reliance on cars. Stronger communities are formed from the outset and for a full range of demographics. Eastern affordable housing options are realised and Christchurch’s ever expanding suburban tendencies are addressed. East Christchurch presently displays a gaping scar of devastated houses that ‘The New Eastside’ provides a bandage and a cure for. Displaced and dispossessed Christchurch residents can be re-housed within a new heart for East Christchurch.
A photograph of two workers beginning the clean-up and evacuation of a flat on Poplar Street during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of a van parked on High Street which has been packed with items from the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of workers loading a trailer with items salvaged from people's homes during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of two workers loading a truck with items from people's homes during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph captioned by Elizabeth Ackerman, "Brandon, Elizabeth and Danica". The photograph was taken 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.
A photograph of a bike, a canvas and damaged mirror in a flat on Poplar Street taken during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of a trailer loaded with items from the Residential Access Project being driven down High Street. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of workers loading a trailer with items salvaged from people's homes during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A PDF copy of page 128 of the book Christchurch: The Transitional City Pt IV. The page documents the transitional project 'Redzone Data'.
A photograph of one side of the house at 432 Oxford Terrace. The hedges in front have begun to overgrow and weeds are growing in between the concrete pavers.
A photograph of an excavator demolishing Siobhan Murphy's house at 436 Oxford Terrace. Wire fencing has been placed around the house as a cordon.
A photograph of an excavator demolishing Siobhan Murphy's house at 436 Oxford Terrace. Wire fencing has been placed around the house as a cordon.
A photograph of Robin Duff's house at 386 Oxford Terrace. Plastic sheeting has been placed over sections of the house to keep it water tight.
A photograph of the house at 432 Oxford Terrace. Much of the garden has overgrown. A yellow sticker on the front door indicates that access is restricted.
A photograph of the house at 432 Oxford Terrace. Much of the garden has overgrown. A yellow sticker on the front door indicates that access is restricted.
A photograph of an excavator demolishing Siobhan Murphy's house at 436 Oxford Terrace. Wire fencing has been placed around the house as a cordon.
A photograph of the front porch of Donna Allfrey's house at 406 Oxford Terrace. A sign on the porch reads, "Avon Loop Harvest Market".
A photograph of an excavator demolishing Doug Sexton's garage at 378 Oxford Street. Wire fencing has been placed around the house as a cordon.
Machinery on a truck bed. The photographer comments, "Seeing this near the Christchurch earthquake red zone I was wondering if they are now going to use a giant catapult to knock down some of the remaining quake damaged buildings".
A view through a gap in the partially-demolished Crowne Plaza Hotel to the Forsyth Barr building.
Building rubble from a partially-demolished building is piled behind and partly against a large display window.
A sign on a cordon fence on St Asaph Street reads "Stop. You must be inducted before entry." The photographer comments, "Safety comes first when it comes to demolition in the earthquake red zone in Christchurch, New Zealand".
A photograph of workers from HireQuip loading a trailer with items from people's homes during the Residential Access Project. The project gave residents temporary access within the red-zone cordon in order to retrieve items from their homes.
A photograph of the kitchen in Donna Allfrey's house at 406 Oxford Terrace. Graffiti has been scrawled on the walls to the left and right.
A photograph of the house at 9 Rees Street. The end of a Weet-Bix cereal box has been placed over the mail slot in the front door.
A photograph captioned by Elizabeth Ackerman, "Brandon, Lance and Elizabeth". The photograph was taken 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.
The Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre's "Community Earthquake Update" bulletin, published on Friday 26 August 2011.
The "Lyttelton Review" newsletter for 3 September 2012, produced by the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre.
Page 1 of Section A of the South Island edition of the Christchurch Press, published on Saturday 15 October 2011.