154 city under post-disaster construction.
Learning from Cities— The 2nd Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation
released by the government, due to a high
(3) Business recovery
degree of uncertainty, reconstruction costs
Effective means and measures have
with decoration included could reach
been taken to promote the timely recovery and construction of urban business functions. High levels of corporate
USD 40 billion. Estimated Cost Source of Postearthquake Recovery in Christchurch
sponsorship and in-kind support have
(2) The advancement of urban
been received, with reconstruction focus
construction projects hindered under risk
placed on boosting business clusters
perception.
and community hot-spots. In addition, a
In an uncertain environment, the
number of artists and entrepreneurs have
perception of risk and inconvenience
been chosen to move to Christchurch
to landowners has been an obstacle to
for the opportunity to participate in the
unlocking vacant land in private as well as
creative spirit.
local and central government ownership. Some of the related city recovery and
2. Challenge of the Initiative
(1) High cost of post-disaster urban recovery and reconstruction
reconstruction work has been delayed for a long time for no proper place can be found to carry out those programs.
Insurance losses caused by Christchurch Earthquake are considered to be the third-largest in New Zealand's history (Swiss Re., 2012). The losses caused by the earthquake account for 19%
Practice and Innovation 1. Revolutionary Innovation
of New Zealand’s GDP. The table shows
The Transitional City Program
that the total capital cost of Christchurch’s
should be considered revolutionary.
reconstruction in 2012 is estimated to
Christchurch is undertaking this program
reach approximately USD 20-30 billion.
on an unprecedented scale and is taking
And in the mix of indicative funds in
a revolutionary holistic and longer-term
all fields, the Earthquake Commission
view of its potential for recovery, urban
formed by the local government after
regeneration and city identity.
the earthquake accounts for 40%, while private insurance accounts for 30%. As
2. Characteristics
more accurate information becomes
The Transitional City Program
available, according to the data newly
demonstrates innovation in the following