The
opportunity that’s in front of us as a city is absolutely enormous. To have the
scale of the devastation, which has come at a great price to our people and our
city, but as the basis of a chance
to rebuild is something absolutely extraordinary’
- Christchurch
Mayor Bob Parker on the earthquake of 2011
A
natural disaster: one of man’s greatest threats, with the ability to wipe away urbanisation
in any place, any time, in any form. Loss of life, livelihood and liveliness in
the blink of an eye, it can have devastating effects leaving only desolation
and destruction. As planners we are presented with the unique chance to recover,
redevelop and recreate in a more resilient way better than ever before. But exactly how has this opportunity
come about? The answer: through ways in which planners have found the positive
from a negative situation. New Orleans and Christchurch, both struck, both
fell, but now both stronger due to strategic planning underpinned by community
resilience, innovation and techniques of preparation in which a city can use to
reduce the risk of a repeat.
 |
| Christchurch earthquake 2011 |
