Economists predict it will take some $35 billion and 50 to 100 years for New Zealand to recover from the February 2011 Canterbury earthquake, which killed 185 people and devastated Christchurch, the nation's second-largest city. To date, the New Zealand government has committed more than $13 billion to rebuilding the greater Christchurch area. Many projects—both public and private—are under development, including a convention center, a $45.9-million Bus Interchange, the redevelopment of Christchurch Hospital, the new Awly Building and many new schools.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) and City Council are leading the renewal. The new mayor, Lianne Dalziel, has also pledged to dispense all the resources at her disposal to rebuild the stricken city. The work is based on the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan, released two years ago.
The plan calls for the establishment of so-called anchor precincts within the core. They include, in addition to the convention center and bus interchange zones, a green-space district along the Avon River, a cultural center, a retail district, a health district, an office district, a justice and emergency services district, a central library, a performing arts center, a sports area and more.
The goal is to develop a diverse, greener, more-accessible city with a compact core and a stronger built identity, says CERA. The plan makes recommendations to the City Council that include the new zoning regulations for the precincts, height limits, the need for streamlined permitting and more.