Seizing opportunities

Speaking as a structural engineer, new buildings are designed to the current code for collapse prevention.

If a new building is designed to code it does not mean they are designed to avoid damage, but rather they are designed to prevent collapse while accepting damage.

The University of Canterbury has led research into Low Damage Technology (LDT), where specific elements are designed to dissipate energy, thus protecting the structure from damage.

Designing buildings to code while utilising LDT, some of which can be seen in the Christchurch rebuild, should be at the forefront of building design.

The default material should be lightweight, but it is disappointing to still see the use of heavy precast concrete panels in new buildings, still being designed to the old ways.

Given Wellington is located on a fault line, and with aftershocks from the Kaikoura earthquake ongoing and a rupture of the Alpine Fault possible, a consideration would be to make a fresh start and relocate some businesses and government departments to Christchurch.

All of the dangerous masonry buildings have been flattened. This, coupled with tracts of vacant land waiting to be developed in the CBD, makes Christchurch the safest bet for any development in New Zealand. Zavien Teh Addington