In the wake of a series of devastating earthquakes, Christchurch, New Zealand is faced with a long, complicated mourning and memorialisation process. The initial intention of this research was to comparatively examine memorial design theory with popular memorial sentiment as expressed in Christchurch City Council's 'Share an Idea' initiative. The outcome of such an investigation was hypothesized to reveal conflicting perspectives which may potentially be reconciled by the development of a series of schematic models for memorial design. As the research was carried out, it became clear that any attempt to develop such models is counter-intuitive. This position is reinforced by the literature reviewed and the data examined. Subsequently, a fundamentally different approach to memorialisation focused on an active participation process is suggested.
A memorial service for the 166 victims of the Christchurch earthquake has been held at Westminster Abbey. Attended by the Prince of Wales and the High Commissioner for New Zealander, the ceremony was led by the Dean of Westminster.
One landscape colour digital photograph taken 22 February 2017 showing the appointed first responders and public viewing areas at the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial Service.
This research seeks to understand if memorials like the CWM operate as effective prompts for collective memory as distance from the event it commemorates grows. The Citizens’ War Memorial (CWM) was built to honour the men and women who died serving New Zealand in World War One. While the original purpose of the memorial was clear, the way the public have interacted with the memorial throughout time has seen its function vary. This dissertation addresses how the public has viewed and interacted with the CWM from the planning phase up to the present year of 2025. By systematically tracking the key events through time, it argues that key events such as WWII, the Anti-Vietnam War protest period, the Anzac Revival and Canterbury 2011 earthquake have seen the public use and view the memorial differently to its intended purpose. In the current day, the memorial is once again used as a place to remember and honour the dead from WWI showing that purpose of a memorial can ebb and flow as generations change.
The words 'Rise Up Chch' being flown over Hagley Park as part of the memorial service that was held there.
One landscape colour digital photograph taken 22 February 2017 showing brass band members at the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial Service. Behind the band is a digital screen showing words of thanks from survivors.
One landscape colour digital photograph taken 22 February 2017 showing brass band members at the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial Service. Behind the band is a digital screen showing an image of flowers floating in the Avon River.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake.
Black and red ribbons tied on to trees in the Christchurch. These were part of the memorial service held in Hagley Park.
At least 20 thousand people gathered at the public memorial service in Christchurch to remember the earthquake that occured one year earlier.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake. The public was invited to cast flowers into the river following the service.
The public at the Memorial Service in Hagley Park to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 22nd February earthquake. The public was invited to cast flowers into the river following the service.
Page 3 of Section A of the Christchurch Press, published on Monday 24 February 2014.
When a tragedy occurs of local or national scale throughout the world a memorial is often built to remember the victims, and to keep the tragedy fresh in the minds of generations with the conviction that this must not be repeated. Memorials to commemorate natural disasters very to the objective of a human induced tragedy in that future catastrophic events that affect the lives and livelihood of many citizens are sure to reoccur in countries that are geographically pre-disposed to the ravages of nature. This thesis examines memorial sites as case studies in New Zealand and Japan to explore the differences in how these two countries memorialise earthquakes, and tsunamis in the case of Japan, and whether there are lessons that each could learn from each other. In so doing, it draws largely on scholarly literature written about memorials commemorating war as little is written on memorials that respond to natural disasters. Visited case sites in both countries are analysed through multiple qualitative research methods with a broad view of what constitutes a memorial when the landscape is changed by the devastation of a natural disaster. How communities prepare for future events through changes in planning legislation, large scale infrastructure, tourism and preparedness for personal safety are issues addressed from the perspective of landscape architecture through spatial commemorative places. The intentions and meanings of memorials may differ but in the case of a memorial of natural disaster there is a clear message that is common to all. To reduce the severity of the number of deaths and level of destruction, education and preparedness for future events is a key aim of memorials and museums.
One landscape colour digital photograph taken 22 February 2017 showing flowers floating in the Avon River as part of the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial Service.