Christchurch Red Zone July 10

A 2pm bus arrival in Christchurch found me with a free afternoon before my flight the following morning. Outfitted with a bike, it was recommended I bike towards the city centre to see the fenced off wasteland that has become known as the Red Zone. I am very glad I did.

On September 4th, 2010 a M7.1 earthquake struck a rural area 40km west of Christchurch causing significant damage to residential and commercial buildings. Brick buildings (including many historic buildings) and suburbs built on sediments prone to liquefaction were hit particularly hard. A state of emergency was declared, a curfew was enforced and the New Zealand Army moved into some of the worst affected areas. Tens of thousands evacuated the city.

Six months later, when Cantabrians thought the worst was behind them and every day had been progress since the mainshock, a M6.3 earthquake struck 10km southeast of the city and instantly set everything back ten times worst than the first quake. Despite the lower magnitude, the shaking was more intense and the epicenter closer causing 181 deaths and far more damage to an already demoralized city.

Many portions of the city have been evacuated and cordoned off, but the most extensive and costly damage is right in the center of the city, now surrounded by a fence. Access to the "red zone" is only for demolition teams, firefighters and law enforcement. From what I hear they have as many demolition teams working as they can without getting in each other's ways.


Map modified from Rebuild Christchurch website

As I biked towards the Red Zone, damage to buildings and the streets became increasingly obvious. Once I reached the fence, I was surprised to see that many families were walking or biking around the Red Zone, cameras in hand like me. I was at least relieved that I did not have to worry about offending people by taking photos. It was a strange Sunday activity, but it was a pretty nice day and I guess curiosity is universal.

I was dumbstruck with awe at the damage. I had heard so much on the news and from friends and in photos, but it really needed to be seen to be believed. My first guess would have been that I was starring into a war zone. Businesses and houses were evacuated immediately after the earthquake and no one was allowed to return. All personal belongings that could not be quickly carried were left, which gave the scene a particularly eerie apocalyptic feel. It had been almost 5 months, but there was still no end to the clean-up in sight.









The fence itself had a weird juxtaposition of flowers, words of comfort, "Danger/Keep Out" signs and advertisements. A large advertisement saying that the Christchurch Casino was open seemed particularly insensitive. Some of the buildings had graffiti attempting to lighten the mood.










Grand Chancellor (soon to be demolished old hotel through arch at left) and the Bridge of Remembrance

Thanks to the Boultons.