“Better City, Better Life?”
Green Shanghai Digital Presentation

Introduction to Expo 2010

World Expositions are economic, scientific,
technological and cultural exchanges, where
innovative ideas of the future are presented
on a world stage.

In 2010, China will hold an Expo in Shanghai. It
will begin on May 1st and end on October 31st.
Once again, just like the Olympics, the world’s
eyes will be on China.

So what will China have to offer?

China’s main goal is to present modern
approaches to creating eco-friendly and
sustainable development to the world.

Their motto, “Better City, Better Life” is a theme
that promotes the idea of improved quality of
life in the city.

Construction Projects

There will be huge construction projects on
the Expo Site as well as around Shanghai to
accommodate the Expo plans as well as
transportation projects.

“China Pavilion”

“Expo Axis”
Notice the gimmicky “rain collecting roof”

“Expo Center”

Other Projects
There will be new subway lines built for the
Expo as well as “Green Areas” around many of
the elevated highways.

Expo 2010 will attract governments and
people from across the world. Over a period
of 184 days, it is projected that there will be
over 70 million visitors to Shanghai.

With this large amount of people visiting,
there will be an increased need for hotels,
transportation and food. All of this will add
more carbon emissions to an already polluted
and heavily populated city.

Will Shanghai really become a “Better City” as
a result of this expo? We believe that it is
more idealism rather than realism.

Idealism vs Realism

The motto
“Better City,
Better Life”
focuses more on
the
modernization of
the urban
lifestyle rather
than the
sustainability of
it.

In many of the expo pictures, Shanghai is
portrayed with clear blue skies and a clean
river. We know Shanghai is far from this.

The expo site is built on what they call
“Sunny Valley”.

Although Expo 2010 has shown many
examples of green wash, there is also green
work being done. The government has
realized the need to make Shanghai greener
and more sustainable.

It may take time, but the Expo will hopefully
bring more sustainable development to China
as well as the world at large.

Thank you!
Presentation done by Matt Clarke, Nicolai
Anderson and Austin Sigouin