Earthquake Recovery by Warren Bull

Earthquake Recovery by Warren Bull

On February 22, 2011 at 12:51 p.m. an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit New Zealand’s South Island. It was centered 10 kilometers southeast of Christchurch’s central business district. The quake occurred about six months after a September 2010 earthquake. Although the earlier quake was more violent, at a magnitude of 7.1, the second quake was more shallow and closer to the city.

It occurred about lunchtime on a weekday, which meant that the business center was full of people. 185 people were killed. More than 130 deaths resulted from the collapse of two multi-storey office buildings.

In July of that year my wife, Judy, and I came to Christchurch. Judy was hired to teach a class in Pediatric Audiology at Cambridge University. I came along too.

In August of this year, 2016, we returned to Christchurch. This time Judy came on a fellowship to teach the same subject as before.  As part of our stay we went on a rebuild tour, which focused on what had been accomplished in rebuilding the city and what remains to be done.

Part of Christchurch was built over what had been a swamp. With the seismic event heavier material sank as much as a meter and a half while lighter materials such as dust, sewage and water came to the surface.  Homes had geysers of sewage come up through toilets. Water and sewage pipes broke under streets. Older buildings were especially vulnerable. Many of the heritage buildings that had given Christchurch a quaint and charming appearance were destroyed. Much of the downtown area was fenced off. People were not allowed to enter that area. Houses were rated as red, unsafe to enter or green safe. 

Some people were angry that they could not enter their own houses. Other getting a green rating were too frightened. When we left on November 12^th, the last people living in tents got upgraded to better temporary housing. 

On the tour we saw considerable progress. We also saw how much still needs to be done. The central city is being created with height restrictions on the buildings. It will be smaller than before and it will have more parks and green areas in and around it with wider streets.  Major corporations are building offices. Smaller businesses have reopened. Restaurants and other service industries are also opening. Buildings are still being taken down. Empty lots full of rubble are common. The city allowed people to paint the outside walls of buildings with bright colors. Some walls resemble cartoons. Others look like fine art oil paintings.

Along side the demolition, construction is continuing. People who live here tell us that the central city changes from week to week as more damaged buildings are razed and new businesses start.

A cathedral at the heart of the central city is still the center of controversy. Some people want to save as much as possible of the broken outer shell that exists. Other people want to tear it all down and start from scratch. A proposed modern church was extremely unpopular. That design was abandoned. The debate continues.

A stadium built for the 2011 rugby world cup games is another project without a plan. The city and the insurance company have disagreed about the value of the stadium. No resolution of differences is in sight.

There are certainly fewer places that look like bombed- out buildings than there were five years ago. At that time people predicted at least a decade would be needed to restore Christchurch. I’m happy to report that progress toward that goal is happening.  I also think that more than another five years will be needed for a full recovery.

On a positive note, Canterbury University’s enrollment, which had dropped drastically, is now back to former levels. One student started a “Student Army” that helped people dig out and re-start. Farmers started a “Farmy Army” using their farm vehicles to open roads and clear debris.  

People here are resilient.