It was a great honor for us to be selected as one of the six design firms from across the world to develop a master plan for Shanghai Expo 2010. Our proposed transportation solutions, post-meeting utilization plans, green sustainable development strategies and other integrated solutions, successfully helped Shanghai win the bid to hold the 2010 World Expo.

In preparing the concept, we drew upon the essential notion of the Expo as a“unique forum for encouraging human creativity and universal participation” and “the development of an forum for scientific exploration, for incubating new concepts, ideas and innovative technologies.” The Expo theme that developed, Better City Better Life, will speak of the many influences on urban life, both now and in the future.

With Shanghai quickly moving in the direction of an international metropolis, it seems ideally suited to host a fair showcasing these issues. The theme, covering a broad array of topics including economy, culture, technology, housing, transportation, the environment and daily living, will be explored within the context of a truly vibrant and active urban environment. It is important to show in the master plan that the integration of the exposition into the existing city fabric, is in itself, part of the exhibit.