Within four weeks of the September 4 2010 Canterbury Earthquake a new, loosely-knit community group appeared in Christchurch under the banner of “Greening the Rubble.” The general aim of those who attended the first few meetings was to do something to help plug the holes that had already appeared or were likely to appear over the coming weeks in the city fabric with some temporary landscaping and planting projects. This article charts the first eighteen months of Greening the Rubble and places the initiative in a broader context to argue that although seismic events in Christchurch acted as a “call to palms,” so to speak, the city was already in need of some remedial greening. It concludes with a reflection on lessons learned to date by GTR and commentary on the likely issues ahead for this new mini-social-environmental movement in the context of a quake-affected and still quake-prone major New Zealand city. One of the key lessons for GTR and all of those involved in Christchurch recovery activities to date is that the city is still very much in the middle of the event and is to some extent a laboratory for seismic and agency management studies alike.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A photograph of a residential property on River Road in Richmond. A pipe over the fence is being used to supply water temporarily".
The University of Canterbury's E-Learning team's temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. Foyer lifts etc. Female toilets are off the foyer to the left. These lifts start at Level 2 of the Library, and are heavily used by students. (Once the building is repaired after the earthquake; several floors are still in a mess)".
Tents set up in the Arts car park at the University of Canterbury after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The tents were used as temporary lecture rooms while the buildings were being checked for damage.
Tents set up in the Arts car park at the University of Canterbury after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The tents were used as temporary lecture rooms while the buildings were being checked for damage.
A photograph of boxes of supplies inside the Christchurch Art Gallery on Montreal Street. The Art Gallery was used as the temporary headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A mobile toilet unit set up on Gloucester Street, outside the Christchurch Art Gallery. The art gallery was used as the temporary Civil Defence headquarters after the 22 February 2011 earthquakes.
A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office in a campervan in Hagley Park. The campervan was used as temporary accommodation for the volunteers after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of a performer using a large hoola hoop during a performance in the 'Sound Cone' space at LUXCITY.
A photograph of a performer using a large hoola hoop during a performance in the 'Sound Cone' space at LUXCITY.
A photograph of a performer using a large hoola hoop during a performance in the 'Sound Cone' space at LUXCITY.
A photograph of a performer using a large hoola hoop during a performance in the 'Sound Cone' space at LUXCITY.
A photograph of a film crew recording outside the Christchurch Art Gallery on Montreal Street. The Art Gallery was used as the temporary headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of boxes and office supplies inside the Christchurch Art Gallery on Montreal Street. The Art Gallery was used as the temporary headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Earthquake damage to River Road in Richmond, next to the Avon River. A pipe along the footpath is being used to supply water to residents temporarily".
A photograph of emergency management personnel eating dinner in the restaurant of the Christchurch Art Gallery. The Art Gallery was used as the temporary headquarters for Civil Defence after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "A photograph of a residential property on River Road in Richmond. In the garden is a pipe which is being used to supply water to the property temporarily".
A photograph of a generator set up in Hagley Park to power campervans. The campervans were being used as temporary accommodation for emergency management personnel who travelled to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquakes.
Alan Hoskin, a member of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team, in their temporary office in the James Hight building. The photographer comments, "First looks at our new temporary (maybe) office space. Our group will stay here until April or May 2011, then will move to another floor in the Central Library. 700 hall with Alan. The corridor has a small seminar room at the end, and our offices on the right. To the left is the open sitting and reception area; we're trying to think of ways to make use of this".
A photograph of a group of tents set up in Latimer Square next to the USAID tent. The tents were used as temporary accommodation for emergency management personnel after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A hole in the side of the road along Avonside Drive. A blue pipe can be seen inside the hole. Pipes like this were used to provide temporary water supplies to the neighbourhood while the water system was being repaired.
A photograph of a kitchen in the back of a van parked in Hagley Park. The van was one of many that were used as temporary accommodation for emergency management personnel who travelled to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of emergency management personnel in the foyer of the Christchurch Art Gallery. The art gallery was used as the temporary Civil Defence headquarters after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, a cherry picker can be seen.
A photograph of emergency management personnel in the foyer of the Christchurch Art Gallery. The art gallery was used as the temporary Civil Defence headquarters after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, a cherry picker can be seen.
A photograph of emergency management staff meeting outside the Christchurch Art Gallery. The art gallery was used as the temporary Civil Defence headquarters after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, a New Zealand Fire Service truck can be seen.
Members of the University of Canterbury's Digital Media Group in their temporary office in KB02 in Kirkwood Village, the complex of prefabs set up after the earthquakes to provide temporary office and classroom space for the university. The photographer comments, "The e-learning group and the video conferencing team are now located in the Kirkwood Village at the University of Canterbury. It's a very impressive project, about 60 buildings arranged in various configurations with some used for teaching or computer labs, and others as staff offices. We will probably stay here for several years now. Looking across the centre desks to the advisers' area".
The entrance to KB02, the University of Canterbury's Digital Media Group temporary office in Kirkwood Village, the complex of prefabs set up after the earthquakes to provide temporary office and classroom space for the university. The photographer comments, "The e-learning group and the video conferencing team are now located in the Kirkwood Village at the University of Canterbury. It's a very impressive project, about 60 buildings arranged in various configurations with some used for teaching or computer labs, and others as staff offices. We will probably stay here for several years now. The front doors. We'll need to advertise our presence once we're settled in".
Members of the University of Canterbury's Digital Media Group in their temporary office in KB02 in Kirkwood Village, the complex of prefabs set up after the earthquakes to provide temporary office and classroom space for the university. The photographer comments, "The e-learning group and the video conferencing team are now located in the Kirkwood Village at the University of Canterbury. It's a very impressive project, about 60 buildings arranged in various configurations with some used for teaching or computer labs, and others as staff offices. We will probably stay here for several years now. Looking along the south wall, Herbert Thomas and Susan Tull already settled in and working".
Members of the University of Canterbury's Digital Media Group in their temporary office in KB02 in Kirkwood Village, the complex of prefabs set up after the earthquakes to provide temporary office and classroom space for the university. The photographer comments, "The e-learning group and the video conferencing team are now located in the Kirkwood Village at the University of Canterbury. It's a very impressive project, about 60 buildings arranged in various configurations with some used for teaching or computer labs, and others as staff offices. We will probably stay here for several years now. Nikki Saunders, Lei Zhang (on the far wall), Nathan Gardiner and Blair - unpacking and settling in".
Members of the University of Canterbury's Digital Media Group in their temporary office in KB02 in Kirkwood Village, the complex of prefabs set up after the earthquakes to provide temporary office and classroom space for the university. The photographer comments, "The e-learning group and the video conferencing team are now located in the Kirkwood Village at the University of Canterbury. It's a very impressive project, about 60 buildings arranged in various configurations with some used for teaching or computer labs, and others as staff offices. We will probably stay here for several years now. Nick Calvert from the video-conferencing team, Blair and Paul Nicholls behind. Nathan Gardiner with his head in a box".