Christchurch rebuilds, a year after quake
- 12 years ago
A year after a devastating earthquake, the city of Christchurch in New Zealand is slowly recovering.
The 6.3 magnitude quake killed 184 people in the city on February 22, 2011.
Most businesses in the town's commercial district collapsed or had to be demolished.
One year later, colourful shipping containers have been built, housing restaurants and shops.
Many see this as a chance to start over.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY, ROGER SUTTON SAYING:
You know some people feel really energized. The fact that we are going to rebuild a CBD (Central Business District), rebuild a CBD from nothing and build something much more vibrant, much more interesting than we had before. So it's a city of opportunity for a lot of people."
But for many, there are lasting damages.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, FRAN VERTUE SAYING:
"Whether someone that you love has died, or that you have survived but with the most horrific injuries that have changed your life for ever, or your business was lost in the earthquake, or every part of your daily life has been disrupted. The businesses that you've dealt with all you life have disappeared or moved somewhere else. Everything has changed, it takes twice as long to get across the city as it did before. So, the whole landscape of the lives of people in Christchurch have been changed by these earthquakes."
A memorial is planned for Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the quake.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
The 6.3 magnitude quake killed 184 people in the city on February 22, 2011.
Most businesses in the town's commercial district collapsed or had to be demolished.
One year later, colourful shipping containers have been built, housing restaurants and shops.
Many see this as a chance to start over.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY, ROGER SUTTON SAYING:
You know some people feel really energized. The fact that we are going to rebuild a CBD (Central Business District), rebuild a CBD from nothing and build something much more vibrant, much more interesting than we had before. So it's a city of opportunity for a lot of people."
But for many, there are lasting damages.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, FRAN VERTUE SAYING:
"Whether someone that you love has died, or that you have survived but with the most horrific injuries that have changed your life for ever, or your business was lost in the earthquake, or every part of your daily life has been disrupted. The businesses that you've dealt with all you life have disappeared or moved somewhere else. Everything has changed, it takes twice as long to get across the city as it did before. So, the whole landscape of the lives of people in Christchurch have been changed by these earthquakes."
A memorial is planned for Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the quake.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters