Shanghai / Guangzhou - World Expo: A legacy of a better life

Looking at the figures announced, Expo 2010 is big. In fact, it's the biggest of all the Universal Exhibitions ever organised, with all the superlatives: the longest duration (184 days), one of the biggest budgets (3 billion euros), the largest surface area (528 hectares), the largest number of participants (192 countries, 50 international organisations), the largest number of visitors (between 70 and 100 million, including 95 % from China). "But the Expo is first and foremost the rehabilitation of a 28km2 site that will have required the dismantling of 272 polluting factories in the heart of the city and the relocation of 18,000 families who were still living in the midst of toxic fumes", explains Xu Bo, Deputy Commissioner General of Expo 2010. In fact, 25 % of the site will be made up of gardens and green spaces. The "Better City, Better Life" theme had to be respected right from the planning stage. In fact, Expo will offer its inhabitants a better city as a legacy. Thanks to Expo, the 'cleaning up' of Shanghai and its urban development will have gained ten years in one go," continues the deputy commissioner. Expo is therefore a crucial part of this urbanisation process; we have not organised it as an end in itself, but as a way of improving Shanghai in the long term.

Showing China's power to the world

Certainly, according to the statistics, this city-province of almost 20 million inhabitants could double, or even triple in a few decades, to become the world's largest metropolis. In these conditions, it's best to get organised. And yet it's hard to imagine that Expo won't also be a good excuse to show the world China's overwhelming power. You don't need to take a long walk around the site to be convinced. In the centre, the China pavilion, a sort of imperial palace revisited, stands out from the crowd at 70 metres, dwarfing the largest pavilions around it, which barely reach 20 metres and whose maximum surface area is ten times smaller. On January 21, Wang Jinzhen, vice-president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, told China Daily that "for China, the World Expo is a testimony to our rapid growth over the last 30 years. It is a symbol of the nation's power.

The fact is that these Chinese megacities, from Beijing to Guangzhou and, of course, Shanghai, are organising major international events with an emphasis on ecology and urban well-being, and this is reassuring the rest of the world somewhat. Both for the future of the planet and for the working conditions of business travellers. Chinese cities are globalising, of course, but they are also becoming more welcoming, more breathable and better adapted to their international visitors. Five new metro lines were opened in anticipation of the Expo," explains spokesman Lucien Gong, "and in 2009, more than 8,000 small projects linked to the event were completed." The site, which is quite close to the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Bund, will be transformed into a new business, living and leisure district after the closing date of 31 October. In changing the face of Shanghai, we are also changing the make-up of its industry," explains Xu Bo. "Before, the economy was based on heavy industry; by 2012, 60 % of GDP will come from services, so we need to adapt the city to its new functions."

Already, several major buildings are assured of their longevity. The Boulevard de l'Exposition, consisting of two underground levels and one above ground with a semi-open ceiling dotted with large glass cones that capture solar energy. This vast promenade, covered over a kilometre in length, will ultimately house shops and urban transport hubs. Opposite, the China Pavilion will remain multifunctional, while the 18,000-capacity Centre des spectacles will offer an infinite range of artistic events. Finally, the 140,000 m2 Exhibition Centre will be used for conferences, ceremonies and international congresses of all kinds. The city of Shanghai organises one international conference a day," explains Xu Bo, "from now on, major events will take place here, and will no longer have to be spread out over dedicated rooms in major hotels.

And yet Shanghai had no shortage of convention centres. Starting with the Forum at the brand new World Financial Centre in Pudong. "After Expo, Shanghai will be even better known; it will truly become a MICE city, and will establish itself as a link between China and the rest of the world", concludes the deputy commissioner. A better city, a better life. Better image too.