| Abstrakt: |
Liquefaction is a significant reduction in the strength of saturated granular or sandy soils by shaking or vibration, often resulting in the failure of building foundations and deposition of groundwater or liquefied sediment above the ground surface. The damage liquefaction caused in the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011 highlighted the importance of effective hazard management. However, years after the fact, liquefaction remains absent from much of New Zealand law. The following article analyses why this gap remains by outlining the specific challenges raised by liquefaction as a hazard. It is concluded that assumptions made by planning theory such as the importance of preparedness, mitigation and education pose fundamental problems to implement in practice, compelling lawmakers to make inevitable compromises between present and future need. It is therefore proposed that a solution should consist of a change in form of local plans to increase transparency and clarity, largely by following the requirements of outlining objectives, policies and methods under the Resource Management Act 1991. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
