Meanwhile, through the Expo 2010 platform, other countries also demonstrated their achievements in urban civilization and concepts of urban development, and learned from each other’s advanced experiences in urban transportation, ecological environment creation and maintenance, clean energy utilization, water use and garbage disposal.

The duration of the Expo was 184 days, but the changes Shanghai underwent due to the event are more about the future of the city. Since Shanghai won the bid for the event, tremendous changes have happened. For instance, in October 2004, there were only three and a half metro lines in Shanghai. By 2010, 12 lines were running across the city. In order to minimize the relocation of citizens nearby the World Expo Park, the authorities managed to keep 380,000 square meters of residential buildings and heritage architecture instead of following the old path of large-scale demolition and reconstruction. Eventually, 10,000 households stayed in the area. These efforts not only alleviated the short-term pressure brought by the hosting of the World Expo, but also demonstrated the future development ambitions of Shanghai to become a super city. As Wu Zhiqiang, chief designer of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai noted,“The Expo has pushed the future of the city ahead.” This exactly reflects the theme of “Better City, Better Life”, and as Mr. Loscertales said, “Expos are a strong catalyst for a city’s transformation and give vitality to urban development.”

(A model of the World Expo 2010 Park in Shanghai. Photo provided by World Expo Museum)

Friendship with Shanghai

The World Expo 2010 was an encounter between China and the world. It also contributed to a strong bond between Mr. Loscertales and Shanghai. As Secretary General of the BIE, he witnessed the bidding, preparation and organization of the event, during which he put forward many suggestions exclusively for China and helped Shanghai host a successful World Expo with efficient and orderly preparation.

For Shanghai’s commitment to attracting at least 200 participating countries and international organizations, he traveled to many BIE member states to promote the World Expo Shanghai and demonstrated his support for and confidence in Shanghai. Acting as an ambassador of the World Expo, he made speeches at Shanghai Library and talked with Shanghai citizens online to engage more people in the brilliant event.