Christchurch - Two Years On

On September 1, 2010, Christchurch, New Zealand experienced a 7.1 earthquake.  This was the beginning of a period of over 11,110 quakes and aftershocks that continue to this day.  In fact, in just the last 24 hours, there have been 5, none stronger than 3.6, but 5 nonetheless.   (For a fascinating time lapse of quake activity, see http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/all)  Almost exactly two years ago (February 22 at 12:51), Christchurch experienced the most destructive of these quakes.  Michiel and I were here for that one.  You can read the story here:  http://michielandsheri.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/earthquake.

Last year, when we deployed to Antarctica, we took a walk around the perimeter of the red zone, the "no-go" area in the former the city center where many buildings were still being evaluated for safety and plans were being made for demolition.

This year, expecting much progress and the beginnings of re-birth, renewal and rebuilding, I took another walk around the red zone.  These days, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) has opened up more areas to pedestrians.  Buildings have been torn down, rubble is everywhere and weeds are reclaiming what used to be Cathedral Square.  It feels, frankly, like a war zone.  Abandoned red-zone homes have been boarded up or have been graffiti'ed.  Roads are torn up.  The sounds of demolition are inescapable.

In an incredibly painful walk of discovery through the downtown area, I tried to find hope.  Yes, there are pockets of Kiwi ingenuity - the colorful shopping mall made of shipping containers, the performing arts space made of pallets, the street art, but these hardly balanced out the disorientation anyone who was familiar with the old Christchurch would feel.  So many buildings have been removed that it is difficult to get your bearings and what remains looks to be so far damaged, that you can't imagine that it would be cost effective to restore them.

The international media seemed to forget about Christchurch as soon as the tsunami in Japan hit.  This is the way it goes.  But in the interest of showing you just how devastated this city is and how far it has to come to return to even a part of its former charm, I've taken some photos to share with you.

Many spires and steeples on heritage structures had to be removed and placed on the ground for fear of toppling.

The most heart-wrenching of all....the Cathedral

The New:  Christchurch's Re:Start Mall made of shipping containers

Shipping containers are frequently used as shoring.  New Regent Street is the next area slated to open.