The paper examines community benefits provided by an established community garden following a major earthquake and discusses possible implications for community garden planning and design in disaster-prone cities. Recent studies show that following extreme storm events community gardens can supply food, enhance social empowerment, provide safe gathering spots, and restorative practices, to remind people of normality. However, the beneficial role played by community gardens following earthquakes is less well known. To fill this gap, the study examines the role played by a community garden in Christchurch, New Zealand, following the 2010/2011 Canterbury Earthquakes. The garden's role is evaluated based on a questionnaire-based survey and in-depth interviews with gardeners, as well as on data regarding the garden use before and after the earthquakes. Findings indicate the garden helped gardeners cope with the post-quake situation. The garden served as an important place to de-stress, share experiences, and gain community support. Garden features that reportedly supported disaster recovery include facilities that encourage social interaction and bonding such as central meeting and lunch places and communal working areas.
Summary of oral history interview with Netta about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 28 March 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 1 June 2012
Damage to Opawa Community Church.
Damage to Opawa Community Church.
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 8 March 2013
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Mount Pleasant Community Centre, McCormacks Bay".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Mount Pleasant Community Centre, McCormacks Bay".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Mount Pleasant Community Centre, McCormacks Bay".
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "Mount Pleasant Community Centre, McCormacks Bay".
A photograph of the entrance to QEII Preschool.
An entry from Deb Robertson's blog for 10 October 2012 entitled, "A Quilt for Pippa...".
A man mounting signs about Community Chess on the wall around Gap Filler's Community Chess Board.
Summary of oral history interview with Michelle Whitaker about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
A story submitted by Ginny Larsen to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Sarah to the QuakeStories website.
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 29 July 2011
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 14 October 2011
A video of a presentation by Margaret Moreton during the Community and Social Recovery Stream of the 2016 People in Disasters Conference. The presentation is titled, "Community and Social Service Organisations in Emergencies and Disasters in Australia and New Zealand".
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 19 July 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 1 November 2013
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 22 July 2011
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 20 July 2012
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 24 February 2012
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 22 December 2012
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 30 September 2011
Summary of oral history interview with Coralie Winn about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 21 June 2013
A photograph of community members giving feedback on the Sumner master plan.