INTRODUCTION This project falls under the Flagship 3: Wellington Coordinated Project. It supports other projects within FP3 to create a holistic understanding of risks posed by collapsed buildings due to future earthquake/s and the secondary consequences of cordoning in the short, mid and long term. Cordoning of the Christchurch CBD for more than two years and its subsequent implications on people and businesses had a significant impact on the recovery of Christchurch. Learning from this and experiences from the Kaikōura earthquake (where cordons were also established around selected buildings, Figure 3) have highlighted the need to understand the effects of cordons and plan for it before an earthquake occurs
The use of post-earthquake cordons as a tool to support emergency managers after an event has been documented around the world. However, there is limited research that attempts to understand the use, effectiveness, inherent complexities, impacts and subsequent consequences of cordoning once applied. This research aims to fill that gap by providing a detailed understanding of first, the cordons and associated processes, and their implications in a post-earthquake scenario. We use a qualitative method to understand cordons through case studies of two cities where it was used in different temporal and spatial scales: Christchurch (2011) and Wellington (Kaikōura earthquake 2016), New Zealand. Data was collected through 21 expert interviews obtained through purposive and snowball sampling of key informants who were directly or indirectly involved in a decision-making role and/or had influence in relation to the cordoning process. The participants were from varying backgrounds and roles i.e. emergency managers, council members, business representatives, insurance representatives, police and communication managers. The data was transcribed, coded in Nvivo and then grouped based on underlying themes and concepts and then analyzed inductively. It is found that cordons are used primarily as a tool to control access for the purpose of life safety and security. But cordons can also be adapted to support recovery. Broadly, it can be synthesized and viewed based on two key aspects, ‘decision-making’ and ‘operations and management’, which overlap and interact as part of a complex system. The underlying complexity arises in large part due to the multitude of sectors it transcends such as housing, socio-cultural requirements, economics, law, governance, insurance, evacuation, available resources etc. The complexity further increases as the duration of cordon is extended.
The partially-demolished Henry Africa's building cordoned off with safety fencing and road cones.
The partially-demolished Henry Africa's building cordoned off with safety fencing and road cones.
A photograph of the Observatory tower at the Christchurch Arts Centre. There are cracks in the masonry of the tower near where the two storeys join. The cracks formed as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake. Wire fencing has been placed at the entrance to the courtyard in front as a cordon.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These pictures were taken of Colombo Street in Sydenham. A lot of masonry in this area has been damaged/fallen down. The New Zealand Army, along with Police, were minding the cordons. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These pictures were taken of Colombo Street in Sydenham. A lot of masonry in this area has been damaged/fallen down. The New Zealand Army, along with Police, were minding the cordons. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These pictures were taken of Colombo Street in Sydenham. A lot of masonry in this area has been damaged/fallen down. The New Zealand Army, along with Police, were minding the cordons. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These pictures were taken of The New Zealand Army, along with Police, minding the cordons. This was beside The Press building, and behind the Christchurch Cathedral. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These pictures were taken of Colombo Street in Sydenham. A lot of masonry in this area has been damaged/fallen down. The New Zealand Army, along with Police, were minding the cordons. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
Cordon fencing surrounds damaged buildings on Colombo Street. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Colombo St".
Cordon fencing surrounds damaged buildings on Colombo Street. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Colombo St".
Cordon fencing surrounds damaged buildings on Colombo Street. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Colombo St".
Damage to the Cranmer Centre. The brick facade has fallen from the upper storeys, crushing cordon fencing on the street below.
People look through the cordon fencing on the Bridge of Remembrance. The Grand Chancellor can be seen through the arch of the bridge.
The twisted and broken Medway Street bridge, cordoned off with emergency tape. The photographer comments, "The twisted footbridge at the Medway St corner".
The twisted and broken Medway Street bridge, cordoned off with emergency tape. The photographer comments, "The twisted footbridge at the Medway St corner".
People look through the cordon fencing on the Bridge of Remembrance. The Grand Chancellor can be seen through the arch of the bridge.
The twisted and broken Medway Street bridge, cordoned off with emergency tape. The photographer comments, "The twisted footbridge at the Medway St corner".
Jane's Bar in the Henry Africa's building is cordoned off with danger tape. The photographer comments, "My local bar is unsafe and can't open. Sad".
Liquefaction surrounds a car on Hendon Street in St Albans, near the corner with Hills Road. In the background, 'keep clear' tape cordons off the front of a property.
Damage to the Provincial Council Buildings. The Stone Chamber has collapsed, and is behind cordon fencing. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Provincial Chambers, Durham St".
A woman on a bicycle stops to look through cordon fencing at the damaged Cranmer Centre. The brick facade has fallen from the upper storeys to the street below.
The collapsed corner tower of the badly damaged Cranmer Courts is cordoned off with fencing. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Cranmer Courts, Montreal St".
The collapsed corner tower of the badly damaged Cranmer Courts is cordoned off with fencing. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Cranmer Courts, Montreal St".
The September Canterbury earthquake. These buildings have since been demolished. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These buildings have since been demolished. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
The September Canterbury earthquake. These buildings have since been demolished. Note: these photos were taken on a cellphone; mind the quality.
People look through the cordon fence at the badly damaged Stone Chamber of the Provincial Council Buildings. The photographer comments, "A bike ride around the CBD. Provincial Chambers, Durham St".
Road cones cordon off a large crack in River Road where the road has slumped towards the river. The photographer comments, "Lateral spreading towards the river is very obvious here".