A leading architect says it is scandalous that homes were built in the Christchurch suburb of Bexley, which has been hit particularly hard by the earthquake.
Many houses there are facing demolition after land liquefied beneath them.
Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney designed many of Christchurch's landmark buildings, including the town hall and the public library.
Sir Miles says Bexley was an old riverbed, and in hindsight should never have been built on.
He also says some of the old buildings that have been damaged in the city centre were fatally flawed.
He says he has been trying for years to get the city council to tackle the problem. The buildings should either have been demolished or strengthened years ago.
