Recently, at the Canterbury Earthquake Symposium, American disaster consultant and author Dr. Laurie Johnson spoke to a crowd of the similarities in the recovery programs for cities hit with earthquakes in the United States, New Zealand, and various nations in Asia, emphasizing the role of funding from central governments and how “and they make the rules, shape the plans and devise the policies.” For Christchurch, New Zealand, however, she also spoke of important differences, like a single recovery body controlling much of the rebuilding efforts, large amounts of insurance money supporting the rebuild, and the New Zealand Earthquake Commission working to remediate land.
These items have helped to dictate the direction of Christchurch’s recovery, resulting in dramatic changes to the city as the accelerated efforts have reshaped in years areas that had been built up over decades. Says Johnson, “this recovery is going remarkably fast for the amount of change going on,” while also noting “there will be benefits but they have come at costs.” Says Johnson, a speedy recovery is important, but it is important “knowing when to go fast or slow.”
Johnson also offered recommendations for other cities looking to rebuild, emphasizing aspects like enhancing existing systems instead of imposing new ones, working with local councils to support recovery plans, and seeking public input for recovery plans and models.
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