An urban planning expert says the number of failed residential developments in Christchurch's central city is symptomatic of a wider problems.

More than 1000 inner city apartment units have been on put on hold indefinitely since being announced by various developers after the earthquake.

Hugh Pavletich says that number exemplifies the issues associated with a government managed rebuild.

"The sooner the bureaucrats get out of it and let the entrepreneurs get on with it and we get rid of a lot of this red tape, that's the only way that that central city is going to be sorted out."

Pavletich says inflated land prices combined with a lack of demand means inner city residential developments are starting on the back foot.

"Bureaucrats haven't got a clue on the economics of development and spend all their lives fantasising about what should happen, but it never comes to fruition as we experienced developers well known."

Pavletich says inflated land prices mean only expensive developments can survive, but there's no demand for such projects.

However, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority sees a different picture.

Christchurch Central Development Unit acting director Don Miskell says residential sales are high.

"We don't accept those claims at all. The information that we have is houses are selling off the plans.

"We've got great ambitions to see the central city population increase to about 20,000 plus."