The governance for built heritage in post-earthquake Christchurch CBD

This chapter is relevant for the understanding of an emerging approach with respect to heritage in post-disaster rebuilding. Following the crisis-driven urbanisation model, it shows how the roots of the systematic demolition of heritage buildings in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of Christchurch are founded on the flaws in governance that existed before the earthquakes. The approach towards built heritage can be broadly divided between strategies for the safeguarding and conservation of historic sites, inaction, and demolition. The 22 February 2011 earthquake represented the turning point for the governance of heritage in Christchurch's CBD. Three different elements that should be considered in order to critically analyse the socio-spatial conflicts of post-earthquake heritage governance in Christchurch and in the CBD, includes the market drivers, particularly insurance and real estate; heritage and planning policies and legal instruments; and the final decision to demolish or restore.