Community resilience promotes a more rapid social and economic recovery following a devastating natural disaster. Building on our previous research and within the context of the earthquakes that affected Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010 and February 2011, this four-year programme will examine:

• The behavioural response and social recovery indicators;
• The dynamics of urban and regional economic recovery;

The findings will also be applicable to other natural disasters with the potential to destroy or seriously disrupt the normal function of urban infrastructure. This research commenced in September 2011 and is funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI).