A cross sector forum focusing on the post-quake recovery process, progress, problems and solutions will be held in Christchurch on Friday 28 March.

Seismics and the City 2014 Building Momentum is the third in an annual series for public and private sector and community organisations involved or interested in the rebuilding of Greater Christchurch in the wake of the quakes of 2010-11.

The event, at the new Rydges Latimer Hotel on the fringe of the new city core, is a timely opportunity for organisations to update themselves on latest developments, voice feedback and help turn visions into strategies and action plans.

 Forum convener Lyall Lukey from SmartNet says, “While the rebuild is finally starting to ramp up there is traffic congestion on the on ramp and the need for a more integrated approach to get things flowing. The challenge is to balance speed and momentum with direction and getting it right.”

He says that there is an obvious need for enhanced cross sector collaboration to drive the implementation of the rebuild.

“The post quake recovery and renewal process should not be a spectator sport. Organisations and individuals will support what they help to create and they need to be engaged in both planning and implementation.

“Imagineering always needs to precede engineering. Open dialogue not closed group think will enhance decision making and help organisations tasked with facilitating or implementing different aspects of the recovery to stay on track.”

Forum topics include frank appraisals of Canterbury’s post- recovery from different perspectives and updates on the current state of play, what is in the pipeline, the main roadblocks and how they can be removed.

Flooding caused by the recent heavy rain has put the spotlight on land slump, drainage and infrastructure issues partly connected to recent seismicity and highlighted the need for a systems approach to planning the new shape of Greater Christchurch as a dispersed polycentric city, with connected nodes and hubs and a leaner and more healthy heart.

Peter Townsend, CECC will sketch the big picture of rebuild challenges and opportunities, Dr Kelvin Berryman, GNS will cover natural hazards and evolving risk management, Antony Gough, Hereford Holdings will outline the commercial development and building opportunities and constraints in Central Christchurch and Tom Hooper, CDC will question whether post quake Canterbury is a rockstar or a rockfall economy and outline the role of business innovation in growing the future.

Some other speakers are Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch, David Ayers, Mayor of Waimakariri District, Roger Sutton, CERA, Ian Simpson, EQC, Dr Andrew West, Lincoln University, David Freeman-Greene, Orion, Michael Rouse, Deloitte Australia, Mike Heron, Schneider Electric NZ, Dr Vivienne Ivory, Opus, Dr Rod Carr, University of Canterbury and André Lovatt, Christchurch Arts Centre.

Seismics and the City 2014 is sponsored by Schneider Electric, GNS Science, Lincoln University, EQC, Orion, Deloitte, Opus International Ltd, University of Canterbury and supported by EECA, CECC and The Press.

 While the event is aimed at representatives of public and private sector organisations there are special rates for representatives of community organisations. For more information on Seismics and the City 2014 visit www.smartnet.co.nz