Ever since the earthquake on February 22nd, the centre of Christchurch city has been closed. The only people allowed into that area were workers demolishing damaged buildings and engineers checking the safety of buildings that did not collapse. Then eight weeks ago, builders and other contractors started making a temporary shopping area in Cashel St.
Yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister, John Key, opened the shopping area which is called Re-Start. 10,000 people came to the opening and visited the 30 shops, two cafés and a bank. Sixty shop owners wanted to be part of Re-Start but only half of those were chosen.
These temporary shops were built very quickly because they were built from shipping containers. They are brightly coloured. Some are two-storeyed. They are designed around two U shapes with a café in the middle of each U.
Many people worked very hard to make sure these buildings would be open before the Christchurch festival week of horse racing and the agricultural Show.
Vocabulary
demolish (v) – pull down the building; demolition (n)
contractors include electricians, plumbers etc.
temporary – for a short time; opposite is permanent
two-storeyed (spelling is British) – one container on top of another one
Questions
The full name of this project is Re-Start the Heart. What does the name mean?
What is the advantage of using shipping containers? Are there any disadvantages?