Dear Santa, all we want for Christmas...

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker last week dedicated the Draft Christchurch City Council Central City Plan (hereafter referred to as "the plan") to those who lost their lives in the earthquake. Visually spectacular, the plan is also very expensive, and has all the elements of a bribe (it might have been better entitled "Top Ten Reasons to stay in Christchurch"). But to Mayor Parker "it's about a safe, sustainable, free, hi-tech, low rise, city in a garden", and if indeed it eventuates, Aucklanders will froth with jealousy.

The 106,000 Christchurch residents who participated in the Share An Idea forum may well see experience their vision in the flesh in the decades to come, with the exception, quipped one councillor at the plan's unveiling, of the smog-repelling machine for the Port Hills requested by one individual. Future generations of students will certainly stand to benefit if projects such as a planned light rail network connecting the University and inner city comes to fruition. But right now, carving up the Christchurch rebuild with all the extravagance of kids in a candy store, Bob, Gerry, and friends had better hope that Christchurch's insurers share in their optimism. In the meantime, submissions for Christchurch's future are now open. Visit www.ccc.govt.nz to have your say.

The Wish-List

1. Distinctive city

A compact, "low rise" city is vibrantly illustrated in The Plan. Heritage buildings are to be restored where possible, and a greater Ngai Tahu presence will make itself felt in cultural expression around the city. A seven storey building height limit would crown the new Cathedral a jewel atop the Christchurch skyline. But the low-rise concept is drawing ire— seen as potentially restrictive for returning businesses, albeit a pleasant trade-in at a street level freed from shadow and wind tunnelling. Taking cues from Wellington, The Plan portrays a compact central business district (CBD) that won't diverge from the original grid pattern. The new CBD will feature internal lanes, courtyards, and precincts similar to Wellington's Left Bank and Chews Lane.

2. Transport choice

Following Auckland's lead, The Plan outlines a scheme to get Christchurch residents out of their cars and onto public transport. This scheme holds potential to attract residents to the inner city to live, which has emerged as a major focus for the city's developers. A light rail concept mulled for development in 2013-15 will cost the city $410 million, and will link the University and CBD. For $4 billion, the rail system could be extended across Greater Christchurch— cue huffing and puffing from former mayoralty contender and MP Jim Anderton.

The Share an Idea forum revealed Christchurch residents want a "people friendly" city. The plan responded with a road blueprint catering to pedestrians and cyclists, with a "slow core" system to set a relaxed pace for a new and improved two-way thoroughfare.

3. Market City

Christchurch's love affair with the suburban mall began in the 1960s. Consequently, in recent years, the inner city retailing district has been described by Council historical records as "surviving". Post-earthquake, this is set to change. The plan aims to recapture inner city trading, making Christchurch a "market city", with fiscal incentives for businesses that return to the CBD. The Council has vowed to restrict suburban developments to stem the flow to malls in order to render the city the premium rather than "alternative" shopping destination for residents. The "forward-looking, business-friendly, high-tech city" will be characterised by compact shopping, people-friendly streetscapes, a renewed focus on attracting "high street" traders, and a new $4 million international quarter in Lichfield Street modelled on Melbourne's Chinatown. Capitalising on the success of weekend farmers' markets following the quake, one of the plan's most unique concepts is the covered market where fresh produce, arts, and antiques would provide a base for niche retailers and stimulate new business, at an estimated cost of $2.2 million, which will be of high importance in the transition phase.

4. Green City

The Share an Idea process revealed a strong desire to create more green open spaces in central Christchurch. The plan sets out a range of eco-technologies, and a green "pledge" to encourage businesses to "build it back green" by investing into the "green star" incentive scheme that will roll out from next year at a cost of around $3.5 million. The Plan illustrates a park "greenway" network, the artist's composite sketch portraying an Avon river replete with board walks, lit areas, seating, and bars and cafes that spill out onto the riverbanks. The Avon's landscape will be renewed as a "continuous journey" where new landmarks will encourage people to wander along the river corridor, with new cycle ways and paths planned at a cost of $29.7 million. Cathedral, Latimer, and Cranmer squares will be remodelled to attract patronage and 10 to 12 new "pocket parks" will be added around the inner city by 2030. Across the city, efforts will be made to 'green' existing spaces, particularly Cathedral Square. Responding to a popular idea that emerged after the February quake, the city planners will engage in a $2.76 million roof greening project, with spectacular roof top gardens to decorate the city skyline, channelling stormwater and providing a natural habitat for native birdlife. The 1000 builldings to be redeveloped in the inner city will benefit from the$40 million "district heating project" planned for 2013-16 that plans to transform waste into energy.

5. City Life

In a bid to encourage people to live centrally, the city planners have come up with an ambitious wishlist of facilities for arts, sports, business and education to lend vibrancy to city life. Atop the wish list is a grand $280 million metro sports facility to be built in the central city's south-east corner between 2012 –17, replete with an Olympic-sized pool, an indoor stadium, and a design modelled on a Marae. The arts and creative industries will be equally well-bolstered with the development of a $31 million community performance and recreational facility scheduled for 2015, $5 million for arts and crafts and studio assistance (with the possibility of sponsored studio start-ups for emerging artists), and a new state-of-the-art $45 million theatre to house the performing arts to be ready by 2019. Public artwork in the central city will become increasingly visible, and funding options are being investigated to support a "river of arts" throughout the CBD. The council's desperation to competitively foster international business has emerged in a plan to build a convention centre for the inner city. A new $115 million library is also planned, which, paired with the light rail network, is designed to attract students back into the city to learn.

It is not often that a city has the opportunity to rebuild from scratch. Unfortunately for Christchurch, the events that wiped the city's slate clean were far from welcome; but fortunately for New Zealand, this isn't the first time it has been done. Some six months since February's quake, the shaken population has finally been given a glimpse into the future of their city. But it is to the past, to Napier, and to model cities around the world, that the earthquake czars have drawn their inspiration for the new and improved Garden City. When the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake devastated Napier, art deco nirvana arose from the rubble. Eighty years on the world will watch with interest to see how Christchurch, like Napier, will crystallise an era in design.