TAKE CARE WITH CHRISTCHURCH

It's all gone well so far - but reconstruction planning will need to ballance public and media views with achieving the best outcomes - with minimum delays.  Christchurch reconstruction can basically now go in one of two ways:-
1. It can become mired in beauracratic processes, delayed by endless consultations and objections, ultimately achieving outcomes that are compromises in most aspects.  A scenario Norman Foster described as "a terrible thing happened...they all fluffed around and looked at each other's navels and got buried in committees and engaged in political infighting. Sad."  or
2.  A dynamic team can be appointed, with the authority to make decisions, the humility and sensitivity to engage with the community, and the ability to mobilise the best and most appropriate skills to achieve progress.
Clealry option 2 is the most desirable.
The new Christchurch must be design lead.  First, identify what was valuable to the culture and social cohesiveness of Christchurch in the past - and rebuild them promptly.  There is nothing that cannot be reinstated if it has that kind of value - and it will have a positive impact on people's perception of the reconstruction.
Then look to the new city - the linkages, the public spaces - the urban generators.  This is where the great opportunities will emerge for sensitive, creative and innovative replanning. 
Christchurch is an opportunity to initiate a succesful blend of new technologies and techniques with the value of history.  It will be a ballancing act - they all have extremely committed and persuasive advocates. 
Cities are dynamic - and have countless changing inputs.  So the process must set the pattern, monitor the growth and respond to emerging opportunities with the 'big picture' in mind.
Here's hoping it goes that way!