The February 2011 earthquake devastated 80% of the Christchurch CDB. Much of the available empty ground is being filled with art installations, a rare opportunity to re-imagine a city in the modern world. The Greening the Rubble Project has created dozens of gardens in small, unused spaces, like these giant chairs and couches on Gloucester Street.
Growing like a weed —
The February 2011 earthquake devastated 80% of the Christchurch CDB. Much of the available empty ground is being filled with art installations, a rare opportunity to re-imagine a city in the modern world. The Greening the Rubble Project has created dozens of gardens in small, unused spaces, like these giant chairs and couches on Gloucester Street.
Ben Adkison
The "Square" is considered the center of Christchurch and is the site of the Anglican Cathedral. While the fate of the damaged church is being decided, the square is a new canvas for a life-size chess game, activism pieces and the towering Chalice sculpture.
Raising a chalice —
The "Square" is considered the center of Christchurch and is the site of the Anglican Cathedral. While the fate of the damaged church is being decided, the square is a new canvas for a life-size chess game, activism pieces and the towering Chalice sculpture.
Ben Adkison
On the northern end of the city, the Fanfare sculpture is a six-story high piece was gifted to Christchurch by the city of Sydney to show support after the earthquake.
Neighborly gesture —
On the northern end of the city, the Fanfare sculpture is a six-story high piece was gifted to Christchurch by the city of Sydney to show support after the earthquake.
Ben Adkison
On the restored Christchurch Tram, a daily ticket allows you to hop on and off the tram as much as you like. For an evening meal that moves throughout the city the Tramway Restaurant that departs Cathedral Junction at 7 p.m. each day.
Back in action —
On the restored Christchurch Tram, a daily ticket allows you to hop on and off the tram as much as you like. For an evening meal that moves throughout the city the Tramway Restaurant that departs Cathedral Junction at 7 p.m. each day.
Ben Adkison
Not long after the earthquake, murals appeared throughout the city. Currently on, the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.streetart.co.nz%2Fspectrum-first%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Spectrum Street Art Festival</a> will continue through April 17, 2016.
Huge effort —
Not long after the earthquake, murals appeared throughout the city. Currently on, the Spectrum Street Art Festival will continue through April 17, 2016.
Ben Adkison
The Tree Houses for Swamp Dwellers sculpture sits on the corner of Gloucester and Colombo Streets. Made of 10 modular pieces, the sculpture can be relocated to other Christchurch locations.
On the move —
The Tree Houses for Swamp Dwellers sculpture sits on the corner of Gloucester and Colombo Streets. Made of 10 modular pieces, the sculpture can be relocated to other Christchurch locations.
Ben Adkison
After the earthquake, support for the city poured in from around the world and small messages of encouragement can be found everywhere in Christchurch.
World of support —
After the earthquake, support for the city poured in from around the world and small messages of encouragement can be found everywhere in Christchurch.
Ben Adkison
The Avon river winds for nine miles through Hagley Park and the central city. Trips along the river are a popular way to see the park and Botanical Gardens of Christchurch.
International tourist arrivals up 6% —
The Avon river winds for nine miles through Hagley Park and the central city. Trips along the river are a popular way to see the park and Botanical Gardens of Christchurch.
Ben Adkison
In a country with more than 30 million sheep it's appropriate that traffic sheep replace traffic cones. These sheep can be found lining High Street and guarding Cathedral Square.
Multi-functional —
In a country with more than 30 million sheep it's appropriate that traffic sheep replace traffic cones. These sheep can be found lining High Street and guarding Cathedral Square.
Ben Adkison
This controversial rock cairn has been in Cathedral Square since 2010. Built with rocks from area rivers, it's meant to bring awareness and action to water use issues in the region.
Water worries —
This controversial rock cairn has been in Cathedral Square since 2010. Built with rocks from area rivers, it's meant to bring awareness and action to water use issues in the region.
Ben Adkison
Construction is a constant in what the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority calls the largest economic undertaking in NZ history. Giant murals such as this "folded wall" on High and Cashel streets might soon be covered by new developments.
Cranes —
Construction is a constant in what the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority calls the largest economic undertaking in NZ history. Giant murals such as this "folded wall" on High and Cashel streets might soon be covered by new developments.
Ben Adkison
The reimagining of Christchurch
CNN  — 

On February 22, 2011, the city of Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand, had a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. This was the most destructive in a series of earthquakes that began on September 4, 2010.

The shallow depth of the earthquake caused tremendous damage to downtown Christchurch and the surrounding area. Since the earthquake, Christchurch (population 436,056), the largest city in the Canterbury region, has sprung back to life as a travel destination.

The city’s rebirth has been fueled by the US$26.5 billion Christchurch Rebuild movement, which the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority calls the largest economic undertaking in New Zealand’s history.

From a horrific event, an incredible movement of another kind emerged. Even before the rubble was cleaned and new buildings built, public art and other displays began springing up everywhere.

From sculptures and murals to gardens and giant games, the central city is more beautiful than ever. According to the Christchurch and Canterbury government, the region’s economy has grown 31% in the past five years.

Tourism booming

The world has taken notice.

Passenger arrivals at Christchurch Airport were up 16% in summer 2015, with growth predicted to top 20% in February 2016. International visits were up 6% for 2015.

“The airport will service close to 6.4 million passengers [in 2015], up from 5.9 million [in 2014], the most passengers the airport has ever handled in a single year,” according to a government website.

“There are more than 800 cafes and restaurants in the city, nearly as many as there were pre-quake. New businesses continue to open every month.”

The gallery above illustrates just part of the incredible art-fueled movement that’s driving all the renewed interest in Christchurch and Canterbury.

Ben Adkison is a freelance photographer and mountain guide based in Missoula, Montana. His photos from remote corners of the world can be found on Facebook and his website.