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Earlier this year we featured Boxpark in London, a pop-up shopping mall to be constructed from 60 shipping containers. Now in Christchurch, New Zealand, Re:START have used shipping crates to form a temporary retail center on the site of the Cashel Mall that was destroyed in February’s earthquake.

Having received funding from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and ASB bank, Re:START created the project in order to stimulate economic recovery and tourism in the city center while plans are made for a more permanent use of the space. The precinct currently features 27 shops, including a variety of retailers and two cafés, and a series of concerts were used to mark its opening, which coincided with the activity and excitement around this year’s New Zealand Cup and Show week. Mayor Bob Parker believes the mall will restore pride in the city, saying “is the beginning of our city making the most extraordinary comeback”. The video below shows the temporary mall in more detail:

Regular Springwise readers will be aware of the numerous incarnations of the humble shipping container — from health clinics to cinemas — and now we’re seeing how it can be used to regenerate areas in need of an economic boost. Inspiration for an area near you?

Spotted by: Clare Burgess