Excellent...so who's paying for this city of wonders? Insurers? Don't make me laugh, they won't even pay to replace people's modest homes...they won't be funding any fancy pants city...ever! Be postive all you like but shiny new cities cost money, a lot of money, billions of dollars. If you think the multi national insurance companies give a fat rats' about little old Christchurch's future you are deluded.

If we can stick to low-rise, then we have a chance. The vested interests of high-rise proponents need to be dismissed for the greed they represent.

Karen #5: Shops made of shipping containers may be a creative stop-gap measure for the short run. But for the long haul, that's no way to rebuild a great city.

After the 1931 quake, Napier had no architectural heritage to speak of. But the art deco style buildings that replaced the Victorian and Edwardian structures gave the city a unique appeal, resulting in some of NZ's most aesthetically pleasing streetscapes. 80 years later, those art deco buildings are, more than ever, something to be proud of

There is some incredible, visually exciting new architecture springing up all over the world. Let's learn from, and be inspired by them. Chch can rise from its ashes and be a great city again---but only if we allow ourselves to be creative, and think outside the (shipping container) box.

I love this city and am committed to it.

Its an understatement to say weve had a tough year. But I would rather have gone through it here in Godzone than to have been a resident of Port-au-Prince.

I miss the old Christchurch so much, still grieve for it. But I recognise we have a fantastic opportunity ahead of us. I really want to be part of it.

Hang in there everyone

Christchurch will really be "WORLD CLASS" as long as we dont let protecting the intrests of land owners with vastly over valued land get in the way........Turns out its not worth what you paid...... the city will be rebuilt better than ever if land is sold on for what its actually worth.

Think of what happened with Napier and Hastings after their massive earthquake.

They rebuilt in the latest fashion - Art Deco and now they are the Art Deco cities of the world. Every year the AD celebrations get bigger and more tourists visit from all over the world.

Looking further back the Roman Emperor Nero rebuilt Rome in a much grander style after it had burnt down.

Now is a time to plan on a large scale.

Christchurch will be a great city in the future. No doubt about that. Yes, a lot of people and business' have moved away. I am one of those people. However, I didn't move because of the earthquake. I moved because I simply got a job away of Christchurch that I had been after for a long time and couldn't turn down. Christchurch will rise again, better than before. People and business' will return. Some who left will return along with a lot of new people and business. I look forward to the new version. Roll on Christchurch.

When we get the rebuilding underway!! So far lots of delays. Insurance woes. High prices, rates. Unemployment. Guess we may have to wait a few years for the shaping to take place. But if we get it right It be one hell of a city.

I agree with CK. This article is spot on.

Julia #1: It's not been a year since the 22 Feb quake. Seriously, give it some time. Rome wasn't built in a day; Christchurch won't be rebuilt in a year, even.

So, we have to ask: why aren't the negative people doing something to help out?

We lost 99.9% of our business's possessions (we're a Private Training Establishment) in the 13 June 2011 quake when the building was red-stickered and subsequently pulled down.

We've borrowed money. We've worked hard. We've got so little help from the Government, it's not even funny, but, to be honest, we aren't waiting for it and will forge ahead by ourselves. We're nearly at the end of rebuilding in a new premises with new equipment and a vision to help be one of the many positive businesses and people out there to lead Christchurch into the future, thanks to lots of people and businesses just as positive and willing to help out whenever and wherever they can.

We've done our bit, and continue doing our bit. I suggest the negative people keep their negative opinions to themselves -- let's face it, we've had enough negativity this year -- get positive, and help rebuild this great city in any small or big way they can.

Ch-ch is now a “(EQC) cash-n-carry (away)” town. The decades of future development must follow its natural path. Garden city, etc – yes; but absurd, ambitious, extravagant and therefore expensive projects – no!