A Decade of Disaster Experiences in Ōtautahi Christchurch : Critical Disaster Studies Perspectives

This book critically surveys a decade of disasters in Ōtautahi Christchurch. It brings together a diverse range of authors, disciplinary approaches and topics, to reckon with the events that commenced with the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence. Each contribution tackles its subject matter through the frame of Critical Disaster Studies (CDS). The events and the subsequent recovery provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from a series of concatenating urban disasters in order to prepare us for our future on an urban planet facing unprecedented environmental pressures. The book focuses on the production of vulnerability, the human dimensions of disaster, the Indigenous response to disasters and the practical lessons that can be drawn from them. Contents Notes on Contributors Abbreviations List of Figures Part I Introduction 1 Contextualising the Decade of Disaster Experiences in Ōtautahi Christchurch: The Critical Disaster Studies Imperative Living with Disasters: A Decade of Disaster Experiences Overview of the Decade of Disasters: Ōtautahi—Ruptured and Re-Ruptured What are Critical Disaster Studies (CDS)? Overview and Book Structure Critical Framings of Disasters and Responses Critical Voices in Disasters Ōtautahi as a Laboratory for the World: A Prelude to the Future References 2 Critical Disaster Studies: The Evolution of a Paradigm Introduction The Emergence of a Critical Perspective in Disaster Research The Core Concept: Vulnerability... and Resilience The Neoliberal Context of Contemporary CDS Neoliberal Environments and Neoliberal Disasters Neoliberal States and Disaster Risk Trends in Current CDS Vulnerability and Resilience Revisited Methodology Risk Analysis and Management Root Cause Analysis Emergency and Humanitarian Aid Reconstruction Development Applied Perspectives: Policy and Practice Future Directions Conclusion: The Message of the COVID-19 Pandemic References Part II Critical Framings of Disasters 3 Elite Panic and Pathologies of Governance Before and After the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence Introduction A Liberal New Order Followed By a Neoliberal New Order Nervous Governments Elite Panic Theory and Research Interventionist Neoliberalism Government Actions After the 2010 Darfield Earthquake Government Actions After the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake Conclusion: Be Grateful Vs Be Kind? References 4 The Ruptured City Ten Years On Introduction Decolonising the City Alternative Communities Valuing and Fostering Diversity The Decentred City Conclusion References 5 Critical Indigenous Disaster Studies: Doomed to Resilience? Introduction Approaches to Indigenous Disaster Studies Indigenous Knowledges Political-Economies of DRR Disaster Studies Ru whenua a Ōtautahi Discussion Conclusions References 6 Rethinking Community Resilience: Critical Reflections on the Last 10 Years of the Ōtautahi Christchurch Recovery and On-Going Disasters A City Responding to a Decade of Compounding Disasters Ōtautahi as a Unique Laboratory for Understanding and Rethinking Community Resilience Community-Led Responses to the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence “A Word That I’ve Heard Used Many Times Over, Mainly by Political People”: Re-working Resilience from the Grassroots Waves of Disasters and the Limits of Resilience Conclusion References 7 Every Last Drop: The Freshwater “Disaster” in Canterbury Introduction Back to the Beginning: Neoliberalism and Primitive Accumulation Neoliberalisation and the Canterbury Dairy Boom A Decade of Disaster: “Dirty Dairy” and the Waters of Canterbury Conclusion: The Canterbury Freshwater Crisis as “Slow-Moving Disaster” References Part III Critical Voices in Disasters 8 Hazardous Times: Adversity, Diversity and Constructions of Collectivity Setting the Context—Hazardous Times Acknowledging Differences and Constructing Connections—Earthquake Stories Post-Quake Collectivity—Community Connections Collectivity Disrupted—Differences Among Neighbours and Neighbourhoods Disruption and Construction of Community Constructing and Disrupting Definitions of Who Is “Worse Off” Doing It Hard—Living Through Difficult Times Everything Is Not OK—Impacts Over Time of Hazardous Times Living with Risk, Uncertainty and “Getting on with Things” References 9 Māori Community Response and Recovery Following the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence Introduction Māori Responses to 22 February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake Cultural Factors That Underpinned the Response and Enhanced Resilience A Decade of Mahi Aroha Whakaoranga—Repair, Rebuild, Restore, Reclaim Environmental Recovery Social Recovery Urban Recovery Policy Responses Conclusion References 10 Asian Migrant Worker Experiences in Ōtautahi Christchurch Introduction Contextualising Asian Migrant Workers in Ōtautahi Addressing Migrant Worker Exploitation and Understanding the Root Causes of Their Social Vulnerability Pre-Arrival Exploitation of Essential Workers and Institutionalised Racism “Everyday Disasters” in Ōtautahi Social Capital, Resilience and Adaptation Towards More Inclusive Governance and Society: Self-Help, Policy Solutions or Structural Transformation? Conclusion References 11 Minutes of Shaking: Years of Litigation Introduction The Earthquake Commission (EQC) Settling the Law Litigation—File Claim and Discontinue Dispute Resolution Residential Advisory Service Greater Christchurch Claims Resolution Service Canterbury Earthquake Insurance Tribunal The Residential Red Zone Conclusion References 12 Sustainability Through Adversity? The Impact of the Earthquake on the Greening of Death Introduction The Socio-Political Positioning of the Dead Sustainability, Interment and Memorialisation Pre-Earthquakes Sustainability and Interment Sustainability and Memorialisation The Impact of the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence and Compounding Disasters on Interment and Memorialisation Memorialising the Disaster Conclusion References Part IV Ōtautahi as a Laboratory for the World: A Prelude to the Future 13 Why Don’t We “Build Back Better”? The Complexities of Re-constituting Urban Form Introduction Christchurch Ruptures: Hopes for a Better City The Future Collapses: Failure to BBB BBB: Exploring the Tensions Before and After Inside and Outside Above and Below Resources for Hope Conclusion References 14 Turn and Face the Strange: Reflections on Creativity Following the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence Prosocial Motivation Pre-Adapted Creators Extraversion Not Required Enablers Hindrances Regeneration and Creativity Fatigue Post-Disaster Creativity References 15 Planning, Governance and a City for the Future? Introduction Issues of Governance The Central City Blueprints The Suburban Greenfields The Red Zone Conclusion References 16 Lessons for Democracy from a Decade of Disasters Introduction Why Does Democracy Matter in Disasters? Getting Heard in a Disaster Youth Agency in Disasters: Reflections from Christchurch Disempowerment: The Impact of Top-Down Government Post-Disaster Conclusion References 17 Concluding Reflections: Making Social Choices in Turbulent Times Making Social Choices in Turbulent Times Reflections on a Decade of Disaster Experiences in Ōtautahi: The Earthquakes First Responders and Emergent Groups Legislative Responses to the Earthquakes Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Role of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Government Emergent Government Processes and Practices Government Leadership and Organisational Culture Local Government Leadership, Organisational Culture and Capabilities Post-CERA Government-Driven Regeneration Private Sector Civil Society Prising Open Opportunities for Community Engagement Holding Government Accountable Community as an Arena of Engagement, a Symbol of Collective Action and a Locus for Living with Disaster Science and Media The Red Zones: A Precedent-Setting Social Choice Insurance Woes Plans, More Plans Why Plan; for and by Whom? Blueprint or Process? Rebuild or Prepare for a Promising but Turbulent Future? Marginalised Voices Reflections on Waves of Disaster Across the Decade Water: A Connecting Medium Port Hills Wildfire Mosque Terrorist Attack Climate Change COVID-19 Closing Reflections: Towards Ethical, Engaged, Deliberative and Reflexive CDS References Glossary: Te Reo Māori Words and Translations Index This book critically surveys a decade of disasters in Otautahi Christchurch. It brings together a diverse range of authors, disciplinary approaches and topics, to reckon with the events that commenced with the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence. Each contribution tackles its subject matter through the frame of Critical Disaster Studies (CDS). The events and the subsequent recovery provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from a series of concatenating urban disasters in order to prepare us for our future on an urban planet facing unprecedented environmental pressures. The book focuses on the production of vulnerability, the human dimensions of disaster, the Indigenous response to disasters and the practical lessons that can be drawn from them. Shinya Uekusa is a Research Officer at Massey University. Steve Matthewman is an Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Auckland. Bruce C. Glavovic is a Professor at Massey University