Parts of Christchurch could resemble shanty towns if a plan by the Department of Building and Housing to provide portable dwellings for earthquake-affected residents is adopted.
A document obtained by the Otago Daily Times suggests between 5000 and 10,000 temporary accommodation units are needed urgently in Christchurch to cope with people homeless from the damage caused in the September 4 earthquake and the February 22 aftershock.
The units would be built from modular or prefabricated components.
They would be stand-alone single-storey units.
They would be transported away from the "villages" at the end of their use.
It was likely the villages would be set up in parks and reserves.
The sites identified had flat grassy surfaces, trees along the boundaries and no signs of liquefaction. They had good access and they were close to arterial routes.
Each site would have power, water and sewerage.
Sites had been specifically proposed near supporting amenities.
These amenities included health and fire services, police, shopping facilities, public transport and recreational areas.
Discussions were being held with the building and construction sector on accommodation requirements for workers going to Christchurch for the repair and rebuild operations.
The Otago Daily Times was told yesterday some Dunedin builders were preparing to put in bids for some of the prefabrication work.
