The concept of Expo Shanghai 2010
World expos are major platforms for cultural, economic and scientific exchange, where nations present and exchange ideas, innovations, reflections and historical experiences.
The context of Expo Shanghai is the level of urbanization projected for 2010, when it is estimated that 55% of the world’s population will be living in cities.
While the city has proven to be an efficient instrument of wealth creation for humanity, its current conceptualization and style of life generate negative externalities in social and economic terms and in terms of well-being. These externalities have yet to be resolved.
Thus, the future of urban life is an issue of enormous global interest, one which concerns all nations and their people, especially China, which is in the midst of an enormous, fast-moving internal process of migration from rural areas to cities.
The invitation to Expo Shanghai 2010 is an invitation to exchange reflections, proposals and innovations for the construction of better cities, and therefore better lives for the people who live in them.
The goal of this Expo represents humanity’s shared desire to achieve a better life in the urban environment, one that is sustainable and harmonious with the environment, but that is also human-centered.
Expo Shanghai 2010 will be an extraordinary platform for progress on developing the city of the future, making significant steps forward in defining policies, urban development strategies and sustainable development for humanity.
Between May 1 and October 31, 2010, Expo Shanghai 2010 will attract about 200 nations and international organizations and 70 million visitors, and is forecast to have the highest level of participation in the history of the World Expos.
The Emblem
The Expo emblem is an image of 3 people holding hands, symbolizing the immense human family. Inspired by the Chinese character meaning “world” (世), it reflects the desire of the Expo organizers to interact with the diversity of universal culture.
The Mascot
The Expo mascot is named Haibao, and is inspired by the Chinese character meaning “person”.