Soon Christchurch will be reaching the year mark since the first 7.1 quake hit the region on September 4. Since that life-changing event, over 7,000 aftershocks have shaken the city, including the devastating 6.3 on February 22 that has left the central city a “no go” zone.

However, in a positive step forward for the city, last week Christchurch City Council released the first stage of their new plans for the city. The key ideas include integrating the famous Avon River (shown below) into the city center, a large ‘green’ space for gatherings including a central city playground to encourage families back into the city. There are also plans for a light rail service to connect the CBD with the university and the beachside suburb of New Brighton, as well as a state of the art aquatic center and a new entertainment center.

Residents of Christchurch were asked to give their ideas for the new CBD, and the Council received more than 100,000 suggestions, all of which they say were read and those implemented in the plans have been acknowledged with the name of the resident.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker, has dedicated the draft plan to those lost in the February earthquake and states that a memorial for quake victims will be a focal point of the new CBD.

Read more about the plan here.