Around the western world there are many cities which have been unwilling or unable to deal with the gradual hollowing out of their centres — the doughnut effect. To their detriment, these cities generally have become poorer, lost their sense of identity, receive very little reinvestment and are places tourists seldom wish to visit.

Research over the years by the Christchurch City Council showed that the city’s centre needed support to make sure it continued to be healthy, growing and vibrant. From that came the Central City Mayoral Forum and, in February last year, the Central City Strategy — the first phase in a 25- year blueprint to ensure Christchurch always has a heart to be proud of.

This issue of City Scene explains that strategy and a number of individual projects now under way or planned which illustrate how the strategy’s aims are being used to influence and manage change.

The projects illustrated are the High Street Heritage Precinct, the retail future developments along Colombo Street between Cashel Mall and Lichfield Street, the First Hour Free parking scheme, and the proposed new inner-city park and residential development on the Turners and Growers site.

To varying degrees, all these projects are contributing to the Central City Strategy and revitalisation objectives and represent partnerships between private interests and the City Council.

The central city is the area bounded by Bealey, Rolleston, Moorhouse and Fitzgerald avenues. It is the business, cultural, retail and entertainment centre of our city. In February last year, Christchurch City Council adopted the first stage of its strategy to stimulate a more vibrant central city.

Its goals are to make sure the heart of Christchurch remains an excellent place to live, work, play, shop, socialise, invest, visit and learn.

The Strategy has as a key objective the desire to “maintain and enhance the central city as the principal commercial, administrative, employment, cultural and tourism focus of the city, and the venue for a diverse range of activities.”