Photos - A unique view of our changing city.

[Suezy]

A unique view of our changing city
CHARLIE GATES
Last updated 05:00 01/01/2013


Christchurch Earthquake 2011

A new year brings a new perspective on Christchurch as demolition leaves the central city bereft of landmarks.
Press photographer Don Scott scaled a 30-metre Fire Service ladder to capture the shattered heart of the city.
His photos show intersections surrounded by gravel and car parks, new vistas across the city centre and whole blocks swept clean of buildings.
A shot taken from Cambridge Tce looking east down Worcester Blvd exposes a new city after the demolition of the Clarendon Tower, the Holy Grail and the Regent on Worcester.
Scott said he was surprised by the scale of demolition.
"Looking over the site of the PGC building, you could see all the way to Christ Church Cathedral because so many buildings have been cleared out. I was surprised to see the cathedral from there."
He said it was a sad experience to view the destruction.
"The city is not what it was. It is pretty heartbreaking to see the state of the city, but you can't put your head in the sand," he said.
"It is sad to see, but that is what we have got to live with. There is a whole lot of nothing out there. Everyone knows it is bad, but you see it from a different angle like that and it brings it home again."
Press on link below to see the numerou photos of the changing city - or what is left of it.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/8133080/A-unique-view-of-our-changing-city

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[Deano]

Thanks for that Suezy.
Hopefully this year sees some regularity return to the area.

[ato2]

Thanks Suezy---30 years since I was last in Christchurch...very sobering to see those photos.

[Rwood]

Some sights very sad, others not that bad - or at least could be worse. I'm sure a vibrant and safer CBD will rise in the end, but that could be quite a way off. Seeing my parents' former house on Huntsbury Ave in September was a sad thing, though I think it is being moved for repair.

[Suezy]

Deano and Tom  - thanks for that but things seem to be taking their time as been well pver two years now..  Progress is going forward but appears to be ever so slowly.
I think the malls are doing very nicely out of it all and know of some people that go to Ashburton to do their shopping.  I had to go into a  Mall over a year ago and the first thing you do is - look for the nearest exit.
Whenever I want groceries I go to Rolleston where I have gone for the last 15 years or so - but that will be one huge suburb the willl grow ever so quickly with all the subdivision that are goint up there.
A lot of business people that I know are now getting well established in other areas like Addington, Sydneham, Yaldhurst, Wigram, Sockburn   etc and have no intention of going back into the CBD.  They are going in all directions where the land is stable. Our factory is in Wigram and very little damage there.  So will have to wait and see how many go back.