The new normal: Twelve months of resiliency and recovery in christchurch

Graeme J. McColl, Frederick M. Burkle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The series of earthquakes and aftershocks that have hit Christchurch, NewZealand, formorethan one year has been severe and sustained, resulting in major damage to homes, buildings, essential services, and resources in water, sewerage, food, access to health care, energy for heating and cooling, and unprecedented challenges to resiliency. Large swathes of destroyed buildings, land damage, and liquefaction have made rebuilding impossible for many. Populations have moved or report that they either wish to or plan to do so. For thosewhoremain, a "new normal" mindset has taken hold and serves as an objective measure for the process that defines daily life and future decisions. The new normal serves as an uncomfortable but realistic guideline by which further resiliency can be measured. A number of factors have led to the development of the new normal state for the Christchurch earthquake survivors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)33-43
Number of pages11
JournalDisaster medicine and public health preparedness
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Christchurch earthquake
  • Disaster management
  • Disaster recovery
  • Disaster resiliency
  • Earthquakes
  • Surge capacity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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