CHRISTCHURCH REBUILD> BRICK BY BRICK

[Milan Luka]

Hey mate. Public consultation has closed. They're now brainstorming. Some rough ideas have been release, some great, some not so much. It wont be until years end will we have a proper idea of what shape the city will take. Fingers crossed.

[Milan Luka]

Burwood and the Wetlands

Much of the Eastern Suburbs continue to be badly affected by the quakes. Originally swampland, most of which was drained for farming and then converted to housing estates as the city grew. In amongst the homes there are still vast pockets of wetlands which remained untouched. They give a great indication of what the entire eastside once looked like, and also explain why this land is so unstable.

Walking through any of these neighbourhoods with a camera, when people are throwing out their carpets and digging up the liquefaction is not easy. A week following these photos being taken, the government announced a package to buy at least 5000 homes in this area. It was announced all of the houses you see in these shots will be demolished. With lakes and streams continuing to show up overnight there's no point fighting it, the entire area will be returned to nature.

[Milan Luka]

[Jim856796]

If Christchurch wants to rebuild, they'll have to construct more buildings that are resistant to earthquakes, like those in San Francisco or Mexico City.

[KIWIKAAS]

Wow. 5000 homes is allot of terrain.
Thanks for the pics and the on the spot info Milan

All the best

[Milan Luka]

Victoria Street

An upmarket downtown neighbourhood. Home to boutique shopping, cafes, bars and the casino. Also a popular residential area. Once a very attractive neighbourhood, its looking very battered now. Usually very busy, its only now starting to see streetlife return. Most of the damaged buildings have been cleared, the casino is back up and running, some retail has reopened and the first new build has begun.

[Milan Luka]

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

If Christchurch wants to rebuild, they'll have to construct more buildings that are resistant to earthquakes, like those in San Francisco or Mexico City.

No one is in disagreement there. On the whole most of our buildings were, the fault lines under the city werent even known of 12 months ago. Despite the 8000 plus tremors we've had since September 4 most homes have stood up well.

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

Wow. 5000 homes is allot of terrain.
Thanks for the pics and the on the spot info Milan

All the best

That figure is just the start. Potentially another 2000 homes will also be aquired. That said, on the whole the owners of those homes are happy to be bought out so they can get out of the area. While an attractive place, its obvious it should never have been built on. Cheers Kiwikaas.

[hellospank25]

Originally Posted by Milan Luka

That figure is just the start. Potentially another 2000 homes will also be aquired. That said, on the whole the owners of those homes are happy to be bought out so they can get out of the area. While an attractive place, its obvious it should never have been built on. Cheers Kiwikaas.

How much will those people be paid ? I would be pretty pissed off if they didn't give me a before the earthquake market value price

[Svartmetall]

Originally Posted by hellospank25

How much will those people be paid ? I would be pretty pissed off if they didn't give me a before the earthquake market value price

That was the government plan actually - pre earthquake market prices so they can afford to move elsewhere.

[SYDNEY]

Good to see that you are still full steam ahead Luka ... will it be possible for you to tell us which of the buildings are going to be demolished when you post the pic or is it unknown ? I hope that all is well there Luka and that things are improving

[christos-greece]

I think the same... they are many buildings there (except of the obvious ones) which dont know if are OK or have problems.

[DanielFigFoz]

So sad . Such a shame

[IrishMan2010]

Such devastation, but I'm sure this city will rise again and become even bigger and better, good luck!

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by hellospank25

How much will those people be paid ? I would be pretty pissed off if they didn't give me a before the earthquake market value price

Originally Posted by Svartmetall

That was the government plan actually - pre earthquake market prices so they can afford to move elsewhere.

Hey Spanky, what Svarty said. It seems to be the fairest thing allround.

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

Good to see that you are still full steam ahead Luka ... will it be possible for you to tell us which of the buildings are going to be demolished when you post the pic or is it unknown ? I hope that all is well there Luka and that things are improving

Originally Posted by christos-greece

I think the same... they are many buildings there (except of the obvious ones) which dont know if are OK or have problems.

Hi Syd and Christos. Its a tough one to get a handle on. There's still some confusion as to what will be demolished and what can be worked on. For instance in the Victoria St photos only the Copthorne Hotel and Establishment (large apartment building) are confirmed demolished. Crowne Plazaand Victoria Mansions are wait and sees. The owners of the Peterborough Apartments have vowed to see it restored cost is something like $16 million. Apparently one of them happens to be Helen Clark.

Originally Posted by DanielFigFoz

So sad . Such a shame

Originally Posted by IrishMan2010

Such devastation, but I'm sure this city
will rise again and become even bigger and better, good luck!

While true, it is sad, I think we are over the worst of it. No ones in shock anymore, still lots of sadness about the situation. (Winter doesnt help). That said theres a definate feel that people are focused/committed to seeing things improve.

[Milan Luka]

Merivale

A very nice neighbourhood, one of the cities 'old money' areas. Only a few minutes north of the city centre. This area has lost a few houses and churches, some retail on the main street, and theres been roading, sewerage damage. While theres still been a bit of damage, all up though Merivale has come through the quakes reasonably well.

[Milan Luka]

[SYDNEY]

I have a love/hate relationship with this thread - I hate seeing the damage and I also love seeing areas that I haven't seen, also, your last batch of pics fills me with hope. I am glad to see that there is still some level of normality Thanks Luka

P.S. Here is a great little news STORY

[Milan Luka]

Originally Posted by SYDNEY

I have a love/hate relationship with this thread - I hate seeing the damage and I also love seeing areas that I haven't seen, also, your last batch of pics fills me with hope. I am glad to see that there is still some level of normality Thanks Luka

I get you. Thankfully there's more to the city than just piles of rubble. I hope this thread reflects that. Doing this of course while staying truthful to the reality of what is Christchurch today. Keep visiting, while you might see sets that make you cry, I hope you'll be encouraged by others.

Love the link. Cheers.

[Milan Luka]

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