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Research papers, University of Canterbury Library

In 2016, the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 was introduced to address the issue of seismic vulnerability amongst existing buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand. This Act introduced a mandatory scheme to remediate buildings deemed particularly vulnerable to seismic hazard, as recommended by the 2012 Royal Commission into the Canterbury earthquake sequence of 2010–2011. This Earthquake-prone Building (EPB) framework is unusual internationally for the mandatory obligations that it introduces. This article explores and critiques the operation of the scheme in practice through an examination of its implementation provisions and the experiences of more recent seismic events (confirmed by engineering research). This analysis leads to the conclusion that the operation of the current scheme and particularly the application of the concept of EPB vulnerability excludes large numbers of (primarily urban) buildings which pose a significant risk in the event of a significant (but expected) seismic event. As a result, the EPB scheme fails to achieve its goals and instead may create a false impression that it does so

Audio, Radio New Zealand

Specially designed sleeping boxes originally made to keep babies safe during the Christchurch earthquakes are now being used for vulnerable infants in South Auckland. The little beds are called "Pepi-Pods" and they're being given to families with babies that might be susceptible to cot death.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of a sign on a fence in front of a partially-demolished building on Cashel Street. The sign reads, "This building is dangerous and not safe to enter". In the background, an excavator is working to remove the rubble from in front of the building.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

The Williams Street Bridge in Kaiapoi. This part of the footpath was damaged when the concrete abutment rose during the earthquake, forcing its way through the pavement and into the open. Fencing has been placed around this section of the bridge until work can be done to make it safe to walk on.

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of a press conference with Bishop Victoria Matthews in the Botanic Gardens about the plans for the earthquake-damaged ChristChurch Cathedral. Matthews announces that the cathedral will be deconstructed, allowing the safe retrieval of taonga and heritage items within the building.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph of the earthquake damage to the Country Theme store on the corner of Manchester and St Asaph Streets. The brick façade has crumbled in various places, the bricks spilling onto the footpath below. A red sticker on the door indicates that the building is no longer safe to enter.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The Christchurch Central Police Station. It has recently been announced that the Police will vacate this building, as it is not considered safe enough for Police headquarters. It is not clear what will happen to the building which may be strong enough for a less critical operation".

Images, UC QuakeStudies

In front of the Williams Street Bridge in Kaiapoi. This part of the footpath was damaged when the concrete abutment rose during the earthquake, forcing its way through the pavement and into the open. Fencing has been placed around this section of the bridge until work can be done to make it safe to walk on.

Images, UC QuakeStudies

Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Chris Lin and his wife Caleen Xue at the door of their cool store safe where they slept for three weeks after the 4 September earthquake to guard what was left of their stock, while their teenage children rented a single room in a house up the road for their safety".

Audio, Radio New Zealand

After the devastating effects on Christchurch, we are all aware of the damage earthquakes can cause. But in New Zealand, a tsunami could be just as damaging. University of Auckland engineers Asaad Shamseldin and PhD student Reza Shafiei are creating waves in the lab to work out how safe our buildings are, if a tsunami hits. Ruth Beran goes to visit them.