After devastating earthquakes in 2010, Christchurch, New Zealand became one of the most green and sustainable cities in the world. This was initially driven by businesses constructing highly energy efficient and low carbon commercial buildings through innovative design. Tenants prefer these new buildings which are cheaper to operate and have lower environmental impacts. As a result of the citywide focus on sustainability, Christchurch now has low unemployment, higher wages, and is an economic and social leader in New Zealand with a strong sense of community.

1. Once it was tomorrow
Christchurch, September 2020
It has been ten years since the first earthquakes struck Christchurch, and from that devastation the
city has become internationally acknowledged as being one of the most green and sustainable cities
in the world. This evolution was initially driven by the business community and was enthusiastically
embraced by the citizens of Christchurch before both local and central governments endorsed and
then actively supported this move.
Commercial buildings in Christchurch are internationally acknowledged to be amongst the best in
the world for energy efficiency, extremely low embedded and ongoing environmental impact and
carbon output, aesthetic appeal, health and safety. Despite this, they are also amongst the most
economical to build in the world through innovative design and construction technologies such as
laminated timber, modular construction etc. This has carried through to extremely low operational
costs thanks to widespread adoption of concepts such as the Passive House Standard and through
harvesting light and heat as well as widespread use of electricity generated on-site with solar and
wind technologies.
Tenants love these new buildings and are willing to pay a premium because their employees are
happier, more productive and have less time off through sickness or injuries. Their customers and
clients enjoy coming to these new buildings which gives them a market advantage and their low
embedded and ongoing carbon footprint is translated into more sales, lower taxes and greater
resilience. It's easier for them to achieve all of their sustainability goals which they can demonstrate
in their mandatory sustainability reports. Owners and landlords who didn't initially participate in
these new building strategies find they have to retro-fit their existing properties in order to avoid
having to accept low rents and experiencing difficulty in attracting and retaining tenants.
Business systems in Christchurch are now near-universally driven by sustainability parameters which
means business owners are enjoying improved financial stability and stronger overall resilience
along with greater reported happiness and satisfaction. Local exporters and manufacturers
experience a major advantage in all of their markets, as a result of the worldwide demand for
anything branded "Made in Sustainable Otautahi Christchurch". This means Christchurch has one of
the lowest unemployment rates in the developed world along with consistently higher wages than
anywhere else in New Zealand. As a result the city retains a very high percentage of young people,
especially graduates, and is a magnet for entrepreneurs, innovators and thinkers.
The low unemployment is combined with excellent well-funded social services and a vibrant arts and
leisure scene which has created a strong sense of community and civic pride. This is reflected by
lower than average crime rates, high levels of attendance at schools and poverty is now rarely
encountered. Hospitals and doctors report a significant drop in illnesses, especially where lifestyle is
a factor, such as diabetes or heart attacks. This is in part because the technologies that mean it's
easy and affordable to build green business buildings have also been widely used in residential
housing. As a result, Christchurch houses are not only known for being warmer, drier and more
comfortable; they're also more affordable which means more Cantabrians own their own homes
than any other city in New Zealand.