[b The Government agency charged with rebuilding post-quake Christchurch is launching a roadshow in an attempt to generate interest and investment in the central business district rebuild.
Despite critics saying it's too little, too late, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority begins a six-day series of seminars throughout the country on Tuesday.
The seminars are aimed at attracting investors, financiers, developers, business owners and retailers.
Critics of the Government's so-called blueprint for the central city say it is too prescriptive and that's why developers have shied away from investing in it.
But the minister overseeing the recovery, Gerry Brownlee, says outside developers will be attracted by the activity of the Government's own 16 building projects, nine of which are expected to get under way this year.
Mr Brownlee says targeting investors in provincial areas such as Southland and Nelson will attract businesses that will benefit from the growing agricultural sector in wider Canterbury.
However, an urban planner says the road show is a waste of time.
Hugh Pavletich says the development of the CBD is a lost cause, because of the way the Government has handled the blueprint for it.
Mr Pavletich says any nationwide roadshow is only likely to generate investment interest in the wider Canterbury region.
He blames local and central government for being too dictatorial.
"They have done enormous damage by not allowing the market to function properly in that central area and the central blueprint is just considered a joke within the commercial property area. That's why people are staying away; they're getting out to the suburbs.
"In fact, I would describe the central blueprint as probably the suburban rapid growth plan."
Mr Pavletich says any nationwide roadshow is only likely to generate investment interest in the wider Canterbury region.
