2010 World Expo update
In search of a City of Harmony

　　World Expositions are galleries of human inspirations and thoughts. Since 1851 when the Great Exhibition of Industries of All Nations was held in London, the World Expositions have attained increasing prominence as grand events for economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges. The World Exposition in 2010 will be the first such exposition to be held in a developing country and will explore the potential of urban life in the 21st century.
　　In 1800, only 2 percent of the global population lived in cities. By 1950, the figure had risen to 29 percent, and by 2000, almost half the world's population had moved into cities. The United Nations estimates that urban dwellers will account for 55 percent of the world's population by 2010. Despite the splendor of many of the world's great cities, high-density living patterns, spatial conflicts, cultural collisions, resource shortages and environmental degeneration pose considerable challenges. Without effective controls, the unchecked expansion of cities will aggravate these problems and consequently erode the quality of urban life.
　　As the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, issued at the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) reaffirms, "Our cities must be places where human beings lead fulfilling lives in dignity, good health, safety, happiness and hope." All the problems facing the city, including congestion, pollution, crime and conflict, are believed to have originated from the discords between man and nature, between man and man, and between spiritual and material aspects of life. It is also maintained that such discord, if left unattended, will inevitably lead to the decline of the quality of life in cities and even the degeneration of human civilization.
　　It is in the face of such challenges that Shanghai's world expo proposes the concept of a City of Harmony responding to the appeal for "better city, better life."
　　Harmony was a core proposition of ancient Chinese philosophy, which advocated harmony between people, between man and heaven, and between body and soul. It is also the ideal of some ancient Western philosophers. Over the centuries, humans have never stopped searching for cities that were models of harmony. A series of theories, propositions and models, from Thomas More's Utopia to Claude-Nicolas Ledoux's Ideal City to Ebenezer Howard's Garden Cities, all strive for balance and harmony in terms of space, order, and spiritual and material input and output.
　　Over the expo's 184 days, participants will display urban civilization to the full extent, discuss experiences in urban development, disseminate advanced notions on cities and explore new approaches to human habitat, lifestyle and working conditions. They will learn how to create an eco-friendly society and maintain the sustainable development of human beings.
　　About 200 nations and international organizations are expected to take part in the exhibition. Attendance is expected to be 70 million people from China and abroad.
　　The expo will offer opportunities for cross-cultural dialogues. Before the conclusion of the exposition, a Shanghai Declaration will be issued. This declaration will embody ideas for future cooperation and development and extensive common aspirations, thereby leaving a legacy of urban development to people throughout the world.
From Expo2010 Shanghai China
www. expo2010china.com