The Palmerston North City Council is trying to put more life into the city with an Australian initiative called Placemaking.
Adelaide City Council former chief executive Peter Smith has been invited to share his experience of implementing the concept in Adelaide.
He told Radio New Zealand's Sunday Morning programme the key was marketing through social media such as Facebook and Twitter where people would share their experiences of Palmerston North.
Mr Smith said the challenge was that it was a city focussed on agriculture, education and the military.