As explored in the earlier post Christchurch – a city haunted by its environmental past, Christchurch’s environmental history had serious – arguably fatal – implications in the February earthquake. As the post discussed, this related especially to the fact that much of what is now a city was once a vast swamp, comprised not only of the two rivers that still run through the city (the Avon and Heathcote), but also numerous other streams that fed an extensive wetland system. (more…)
May 11, 2011
Earthquake reveals the forgotten streams of Christchurch
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: 1850s map, aerial map, Avon River, Christchurch, Christchurch CBD, Di Lucas, earthquake, Environmental History, future Christchurch, landscape architect, liquefaction, Pyne Gould Corporation building, streams, swamp, town planning, TV3 news, wetlands |[3] Comments
April 10, 2011
Environmental history of the future: could Christchurch become our “Greenest City”?
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: bio-fuel, carbon emissions, Christchurch, earthquake, Environmental History, Green City, Hugh Morris, innovation, Lakes Water Quality Society, Mayor Bo Frank, Rotorua, Rotorua Lakes, Rotorua Lakes Symposium, spegelbollen sculpture, sustainability, Sweden, timber structure buildings, Växjö, vision |[11] Comments
Last week, I was privileged enough to attend the Rotorua Lakes Symposium in Rotorua City. This symposium, themed “Fix a lake and grow a city”, brought together scientists, politicians, natural resource managers, landscape architects, academics, tangata whenua, business people and many others to explore ways in which the lakes of Rotorua can be restored to create wealth and wellbeing in the Rotorua district. (more…)
March 13, 2011
Nature strikes again – beautiful Tohoku’s coastal towns devastated by tsunami
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: 11 March 2011, Ainu, Asiatic black bear, Christchurch earthquake, coastal towns, earthquake, Hayachine Shrine, Iwate, Japan, Jomon, Kamaishi, map of Tohoku, Miyako, New Zealand, Ofunato, Rikuzentakata, tidal wave, Tohoku, tsunami, Yamadera Temple, Yayoi |[6] Comments
Once again, I find myself writing about a place that I hold great affection for, after it has been devastated by a natural disaster [see also: Christchurch - a city haunted by its environmental past]. This time the north-east of Japan, where a tsunami (tidal wave) of up to 10 metres high struck the eastern coast, following the magnitude 8.9 earthquake of 11 March. (more…)
February 26, 2011
Christchurch: a city haunted by its environmental past?
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: 1995, 22 February 2011, Avon River, Christchurch, Christchurch Cathedral, Durham Street, earthquake, Environmental History, future cities, Geoffrey Rice, Gloucestor Street, Gothic revival architecture, Heathcote River, heritage buildings, Kobe, liquefaction, Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand, Oxford Terrace, Papanui Bush, Riccarton Bush, Rokko Island, swamp, swamp forest, water table, wetland |[4] Comments
It is with both horror and immeasurable sadness that I contemplate the tragic consequences of last Tuesday’s massive earthquake on the city that I lived in for 8 years, and which I still regard with immense affection. I cannot even begin to imagine how life must be like for its residents today, especially those who have friends or family who have perished. (more…)
June 26, 2010
The abandonment of Palliser Bay – a prehistoric case of environmental degradation?
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: archaeology, birds, Bruce McFadgen, coastal community, deforestation, earthquake, Environmental History, erosion, Gavin McLean, kumara, Maori gardening, Maori impact on the environment, New Zealand, Okoropunga, Palliser Bay, prehistory, shellfish, tsunami, Wairarapa |[2] Comments
Archaeological evidence shows that Maori occupied the south-east coast of the North Island, including Palliser Bay, by the 14th century. Research in the 1970s by Foss and Helen Leach of Otago University showed that people lived in small settlements at stream and river mouths. The people were both gardeners and hunters and gatherers, reliant on what they could take from the forest, rivers, streams, coastal lagoons and the sea – the main sources of food were likely to have been small birds, fish, seals and kūmara (sweet potato). There is evidence of about 300 people in six separate communities on the eastern side of the Palliser Bay. Yet by the 1600s these settlements had gone. (more…)
August 6, 2011
Forgotten streams, urban wetlands and Scandinavians: top posts for second quarter 2011
Posted by envirohistorynz under commentary | Tags: Christchurch, earthquake, Environmental History, hidden streams, Manawatu, New Zealand, Scandanavian settlers, top posts, Tui Mine, urban wetland, Waitangi Park |Leave a Comment
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