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.
An entry from Sue Davidson's blog for 24 October 2012 entitled, "Steps and garden walls".
A residential property in Bexley with an overgrown garden. A wheelbarrow has been abandoned in the garden, and the garage door is tagged with graffiti. Dried liquefaction silt still covers the ground. The photographer comments, "Today I took a drive around the residential area between Bexley and New Brighton. It was a stark reminder to be thankful for the situation we're in and perhaps not complain too much that our garden wall hasn't yet been rebuilt".
A sculpture in the Botanic Gardens represents the ground moving in an earthquake.
A photograph of the Avon River near the Botanic Gardens.
A photograph of the Avon River near the Botanic Gardens.
Cracks along a gravel path in the Botanic Gardens.
Cracks along a gravel path in the Botanic Gardens.
A photograph of a tree in the Botanic Gardens which was uprooted during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A large crack in a footpath at Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
A residential property in Bexley with an overgrown garden. The photographer comments, "Today I took a drive around the residential area between Bexley and New Brighton. It was a stark reminder to be thankful for the situation we're in and perhaps not complain too much that our garden wall hasn't yet been rebuilt".
A photograph of liquefaction in a residential garden.
A photograph of liquefaction volcanos in a garden.
A photograph of liquefaction volcanos in a garden.
This study explores the role and value of urban community gardens following a major crisis: the 2010/11 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand.
A residential property in Bexley with an overgrown garden. Dried liquefaction silt still covers the ground. The photographer comments, "Today I took a drive around the residential area between Bexley and New Brighton. It was a stark reminder to be thankful for the situation we're in and perhaps not complain too much that our garden wall hasn't yet been rebuilt".
A residential property in Bexley with an overgrown garden. Weeds are growing out onto the footpath. The photographer comments, "Today I took a drive around the residential area between Bexley and New Brighton. It was a stark reminder to be thankful for the situation we're in and perhaps not complain too much that our garden wall hasn't yet been rebuilt".
A photograph of a band rotunda in the Botanic Gardens with tape cordoning off the area.
A residential property in Bexley with boarded up windows and an overgrown garden. Dried liquefaction silt still covers the ground. The photographer comments, "Today I took a drive around the residential area between Bexley and New Brighton. It was a stark reminder to be thankful for the situation we're in and perhaps not complain too much that our garden wall hasn't yet been rebuilt".
Residential properties in Bexley with overgrown gardens, see from inside a vehicle. Dried liquefaction silt still covers the ground. The photographer comments, "Today I took a drive around the residential area between Bexley and New Brighton. It was a stark reminder to be thankful for the situation we're in and perhaps not complain too much that our garden wall hasn't yet been rebuilt".
Felled trees in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
A damaged brick wall around a courtyard garden on Ash Street, seen from Madras Street.
Topiary plants presented by the Christchurch Garden City Trust liven up the Re:START Mall.
Topiary plants presented by the Christchurch Garden City Trust liven up the Re:START Mall.
Topiary plants presented by the Christchurch Garden City Trust liven up the Re:START Mall.
A felled tree in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
A damaged footpath through the children's playground in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
Two girls garden in the Lyttelton Petanque Club garden.
The Avon River in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, photographed shortly after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of liquefaction in a garden in Kaiapoi.