Identifying the barriers to building back better : a case study of Christchurch (Ōtautahi), New Zealand

BROAD FOCUS: how to build sustainability into the city of Christchurch following the 2010-11 earthquakes NARROW FOCUS: the place of renewable energy in this process RESEARCH METHODS: • Key-informant interviews • Informal meetings • Participant observation • Document analysis • Official Information Act requests We can’t agree on what constitutes “better” Unintended consequences: doing good might be doing bad Many want to build back the same (ChristChurch Cathedral) Rebuild mandates (e.g. PPPs) and insurance payments reinforced this (“like for like” replacements) Capital flight/lack of capital That other city problem: Auckland Governance structures: “confusopoly” & the “tragedy of the anti-commons”, alphabet agencies CBD already in decline (BBB = Baptist churches, brothels & band practice rooms) New environmental challenges: sinking city, rising sea, drinking water contaminatio