As with many things in China, the figures involved are breathtaking. Shanghai is always busy with new construction projects, but in the months leading up to the 2010 World Expo, builders are picking up the pace. Scaffolding is due to come down by April, just ahead of the May start date. Back in 2002, the city won the bid to host the event and each passing year brought mounting levels of excitement – and construction.

City authorities took the opportunity to embark on several infrastructure projects, including the rejuvenation of the Bund area, restoration of the historic Garden Bridge and, of course, expansion of the transport network, which has nearly doubled capacity on the subway system.

The theme for the Shanghai World Expo is ‘Better City, Better Life’, and the event kicks off with an opening ceremony on the evening of April 30, officially ending on October 31. A total of 241 countries and 49 international organisations will participate and an estimated 70 million visitors are expected, making it the biggest World Expo ever.

Unlike World Expos held in the recent past, the Shanghai event is in a downtown location, just 3km from People’s Square, in the city centre. The expo site, spanning five square kilometres, will be accessible by three metro lines and several bus services. The site is four times bigger than the Aichi World Expo held in Japan in 2005 and 20 times the size of the Zaragoza Expo in 2008, according to the Shanghai World Expo organisers. A regular ticket will cost US$23.

EXPO HISTORY
The World Expo dates back 150 years, when it was variously known as the World’s Fair and the Great Exhibition, among other names. The first World Expo was held in London in 1851, when it was called the ‘Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations’. In the early editions, world expos wielded considerable influence. Notable debuts included the Eiffel Tower, which was shown at the 1889 Paris World Exposition, and the telephone.

Today, the World Expo serves as an international platform for the exchange of ideas and presentation of achievements among nations. The Shanghai World Expo’s theme of ‘Better City, Better Life’ will feature national pavilions designed by some of the world’s best architects, which showcase their visions of urban living in the 21st century.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES
Since Shanghai won the bid to host the World Expo, city planners have rolled out a number of infrastructure upgrades. The redevelopment of the historic Bund area, announced by the Shanghai Municipal Government in 2002, will take place along both banks of the Huangpu River, an area of 73 sq km.

The multiple lanes of traffic that once stood between the handsome colonial buildings on the waterfront have largely been eliminated and moved underground into tunnels. The space they once occupied will be turned into a pedestrianised boulevard and green space. A number of historic riverside buildings have been transformed into high-end retail and hospitality venues.

Upgrades on the public transport system have also been completed, doubling capacity on the city’s overwhelmed metro system. By the time the Expo starts, the city will be served by three metro lines and two underwater cross-river tunnels.

On the northern bank of the river, the new Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal opened late last year. Construction on the building, which is shaped like a drop of water, began in 2004 and comprises three berths and a viewing gallery 850m in length.

The futuristic-looking building represents Shanghai’s ambition to become a regional cruising hub. The terminal, which is located north of the Bund on the river opposite the Lujiazui financial district, is an impressive sight for passengers arriving on luxury liners. The project, which takes up a one-kilometre stretch of the riverbank, also includes yachting facilities.

LOCAL ASSISTANCE
“The World Expo is a great opportunity to showcase Shanghai as a good place for business, sightseeing and hosting large-scale events,” says Li Bincheng, director of international tourism promotion, Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA). “The event is drawing a lot of international attention and it’s a good chance to generate publicity for Shanghai.”

Li says the event will be a catalyst for development of the city’s infrastructure and service standards. Li’s deputy, Maria Chao, adds: “The World Expo is the largest event ever held in Shanghai and it will boost the level of confidence in the MICE industry. “Facilities like the Expo Centre will also be welcome, as Shanghai has a limited number of venues for large events at the moment. The authorities took this into consideration when they were planning the expo facilities.”

To support MICE groups travelling to Shanghai during the World Expo, SMTA will provide qualifying groups with incentives such as gifts and programmes, airport transfers, express immigration procedures, vendor recommendations and introductions to suppliers. Patrick Chen, assistant director at the SMTA’s international tourism promotion department, says: “We will decide on the form of support on a case-by-case basis.”

He says the main form of support will be the provision of materials and information on the city, but in some cases the bureau will sponsor visits to key sights and to ERA, the city’s iconic acrobatic show.

“We are expecting many groups to come to the World Expo and will release specific plans once the programmes and schedule are confirmed,” he says. “Many of the enquiries we have received are about holding receptions or events within specific pavilions; therefore, we are working closely with travel and agents and DMCs.”