By the EERI Reconnaissance Team.
March 19, 2011. Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.
The Europeans who settled Christchurch in the 1850’s formed an “Acclimatization Society” in an attempt to establish familiar environments in Christchurch. This group advanced the introduction of European animals and plants, and the establishment of parks and architecture of their native England. The grace of Christchurch springs from the stone and masonry architecture of heritage buildings. The Christchurch Civic Trust has had influence in urban planning, and in demolition decisions following the 4 September 2010 earthquake. The owner of the St. Elmo’s Court Building (Hereford St.) was advised to demolish the building, and sought council consent to do so. The Heritage Trust prevailed in this case. Their fight to preserve the Manchester Courts apartments was not successful and a methodological demolition of this site, preserving as much Kotare wood as possible, finished less than a month prior to 22 February 2011. Earthquake damage to heritage buildings does not imply that they can not be saved. The two heritage buildings shown below are one block from one another. One had been seismically retrofitted.
 |
 |
| Figure 1. Montreal and Kilmore. | Figure 2. Montreal and Peterborough. |
Following the 4 September 2010 earthquake, this heritage building had been braced, but it collapsed on 22 February 2011.
 |
 |
|
| Figure 3. Wocester and Montreal. | Figure 4. Wocester and Montreal. | |
Learning from Earthquakes: First person reports
