Shanghai EXPO 2010: a few more photos

Shanghai EXPO 2010 is an event that is not to be missed. It is the largest World Fair in the history of the world, with 242 pavilions and an estimated 70 million people expected to attend. On a typical day there are 250,000 to 450,000 in attendance. But it doesn't feel that crowded since the EXPO site is seven and a half times the size of the Vancouver EXPO 86 site.

The theme is Better City, Better Life and the fair focuses on sustainability. All of the garbage collection is separated into recyclables and non-recyclables. But what is truly remarkable is that many of the garbage containers are self emptying...that's right, the garbage is collected through an underground pneumatic collection system!There is a lot of security...lots of soldiers at attention around the site...you are frisked as you enter by very pretty Chinese girls whose only English may be 'turn around please' and 'thank you...have a nice day'.As reported, there are often long line-ups for certain pavilions. In anticipation of the line-ups, I applied for media accreditation from Vancouver with the assistance of the Vancouver Sun. However, I arrived before my accreditation was processed. Furthermore, I was travelling on a tourist visa, rather than a working visa, so formal accreditation was not possible. If you are attending the event as media, my advice is to make your application is sent in by the sponsoring agency in plenty of time, and also make sure you have a working visa, rather than a tourist visa.

Most of the visitors are not there to see examples of green building around the world...they are there to see the spectacular site and take photos...so many people were taking so many photos I decided to buy more stock in Sandisk, the flash storage card company started by my friend Eli Harari. They are also keen to get their 'passports' stamped. Remember the EXPO 86 passports? It's a World Fair tradition.At night, the site is magnificent. It is mesmerizing to watch the buildings constantly change colours. The whole thing is quite magical. Given all there is to see in the daytime...and nighttime...I'm planning to return in September or October. (Below are the Russian Pavilion, the Chinese Pavilion, which will remain, and the inverted 'cones' that run through the site and change colours during the evening.)

Shanghai Expo 2010 points the way to creating better cities for better lives

My third post which was kindly added to the Community of Interest blogs by the Vancouver Sun:

After ten days at EXPO 2010 Shanghai, I have reluctantly returned to Vancouver. Although I was able to visit many of the 242 national, international organization, and corporate pavilions, time did not permit me to visit many others that I wanted to see. I therefore plan to return in the fall.

Sadly, this EXPO has not been very well publicized in North America or elsewhere around the world, outside of China. However, I suspect that as it progresses, more and more people will hear that its exhibitions, events and forums are not to be missed. With its theme ‘Better City, Better Life’, EXPO 2010 will appeal to everyone with an interest in world cities, a fascination with the future, and a desire to see global harmony.At the SAIC- General Motors pavilion, visitors will discover the EN-V or Electric Networked Vehicle of the future. It is designed to alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability. It is also very cute. The Life Sunshine Pavilion is the first ever Expo Pavilion to showcase the life and talents of the disabled. The Israel Pavilion describes the country’s technological innovations in everything from diesel oil extraction from plants for aviation use, to the computer memory stick. Yes, it was invented in Israel.The Singapore Pavilion includes images of the past, present and future. I mistakenly thought that a large park cantilevered atop three towers 200 metres in the sky was a proposal for the future. In fact, it has already been completed as part of the new $5.9 billionSands Casino.While many pavilions have long line-ups, the five Theme Pavilions had no line ups when I was there. Each has much to offer. The Pavilion of City Being focuses on the relationship between people and their cities. It includes remarkable films about five world-renowned city plazas, including one very touching segment about one that was tragically destroyed in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Very creative displays in the Pavilion of Urban Planet show how development and over-development present ecological problems for our planet. The Pavilion of Footprint looks at the history of cities from their birth to the modern day, and the footprints left by successive civilizations.The various pavilions showcase the latest in cinematography and video presentations. There are numerous 3-D films and many 4-D productions as well. In one pavilion every seat has a seatbelt, and it needs to be fastened. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, which often experiences line-ups of five hours or longer, takes you on a ride through its cities and deserts on a conveyor belt, completely engulfed in video projections on the walls, sloping floors and ceiling. The trip is breathtaking.Most pavilions cater not only to urbanists, but the general public as well, especially children. A portion of the popular Swedish Pavilion includes a display on that country’s history of innovation, a children’s playground, and an IKEA kitchen. The Swedes also cleverly included a robot that dispenses ping-pong balls to each visitor. (Now why didn’t Canada think of that?) The US Pavilion, a last minute effort thanks to the generosity of some corporate sponsors, features an entertaining film about a young girl trying to landscape a vacant plot in her neighbourhood.

While I spent ten days and need to return, it is not essential that visitors spend this much time. A three-day pass will allow sufficient opportunity to gain an appreciation for the ingenuity and creativity of the Chinese planners and the participating countries and organizations. It will also allow time to appreciate how better cities will result in better lives in the future.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

SHANGHAI EXPO 2010 OFFERS GLIMPSES OF A GREENER FUTURE

Below is my second posting from Shanghai that was kindly published in the Vancouver Sun:

Why can't buildings wear coats to keep the heat in and the cold out?

This is one of the questions asked at the U.K. pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010. The answer? They can wear coats. In fact, a layer of vegetation incorporated into a green roof can help control the temperature of a building while improving energy efficiency.

At the nearby France pavilion, an even more dramatic solution is being proposed.

Lafarge Cement, which developed an innovative lightweight material for the exterior of the pavilion, is proposing full-length decorative concrete "coats" for older highrise buildings. These would support vegetation and other energy-saving devices to improve comfort and energy efficiency. The visual result is not unlike the futuristic visions of cities illustrated in 1950s comic books and magazines.

However, after spending a week touring this world fair, I find these visions not so improbable. Indeed, many of the pavilions incorporate stunning futuristic exterior designs.

Often, they are a riot of colour, composed from crystal resin and vibrant LED screens. An "intelligent film" on the Private Enterprises Pavilion produces different visual effects as viewing and sunlight angles change. Advanced digital projection technologies allow facades to be constantly changing, especially at night when the Expo grounds turn into a digital fireworks extravaganza.

Watching some of these buildings, I could not help but think about the public furore in Vancouver over the installation of a small electronic billboard at the south end of the Burrard Bridge.

The interior displays are often equally fantastic. A video projection in the Canada Pavilion gives the impression that the screen is changing its form, and indeed it might be.

As you enter the EcoHouse, you walk over a digital pond with koi swimming below. Many people gingerly dip their toe into the "water" before venturing across. In the Spain Pavilion, a flamenco dancer suddenly appears out of a giant projection. And then there is Meguelin, the 6.5-metre animated baby, which has to be seen to be believed.

Every pavilion displays ideas to create more sustainable buildings and cities. The Germany Pavilion illustrates how older mid-20th-century public housing blocks can be transformed into "urban villas" through energy refurbishment measures and the addition of balconies. Many older Vancouver projects could benefit from a similar approach.

Other German innovations include a system of car-sharing in Bremen that allows users to drop off cars wherever they want; intergenerational and intercultural community allotment gardens in Stuttgart that bring together different ethnicities and age groups; and a "Tree Godparent" program for people wanting to do something for the environment, but not wanting the full responsibility of maintaining a community garden.

The Pavilion of the Future presents Columbia University's Dragonfly Project, which is developing artificial trees that will capture carbon dioxide 1,000 times faster than real trees. Another display explores the possibilities of permanent floating communities on international waters.

Closer to home, and present-day realities, the EcoHouse features a kitchen with an intelligent refrigerator and "nutrition butler" who tells you the composition of the foods you are eating. The bathroom includes an intelligent toilet that analyzes urine and stools to let you know when it is time to see a doctor or revise your will.

The pavilions make it apparent that many cities are creatively greening themselves.

If Vancouver wants to be the greenest city in the world, (ed: as the Mayor says in the Vancouver Pavilion) we should pay close attention to what others are doing. There is some stiff competition out there.

Michael Geller is a Vancouver-based architect, planner, real estate consultant and property developer.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Shanghai’s World Expo hopes to transform the way we live

Below is my first blog posting from Shanghai that the Vancouver Sun kindly published in its Issues and Ideas section:

SHANGHAI — Since the “Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations” held in London in 1851, World Fairs have been organized to showcase the latest products, technologies and ideas to the rest of the world. Previous Fairs have focused on energy, light, Space Travel, and earthly transportation. They have introduced such innovations as the light bulb, the elevator, talking pictures, television and the ice cream cone. The theme of the Shanghai World Expo now taking place until October 31, 2010 is Better City, Better Life. By choosing the ‘city’ concept as its theme, the organizers are hoping to address the global trend of urbanization.

The fair is doing this with displays by 242 countries and organizations. There are also five major theme pavilions: Urbanian, City Being, Urban Planet, Footprint and Future. There are also large scale ‘Built Case Studies’ exhibited in the 15 hectare Best Practices Area, where visitors can experience better urban life in the future. These case studies include a solar wall in Alsace; a living water park in Chengdu; an innovative Hamburg building that requires no heating or cooling; BedZed, the highly publicized English Zero Carbon Community; and Vancouver’s Legacies and the Livable City.

In the eight years since Shanghai was awarded the 2010 World Expo, many parts of the city have been transformed. Elevated roadways have been upgraded and planted with drought tolerant materials. Ever changing colourful illuminations are displayed at night. Now here is an idea for our viaducts and SkyTrain pylons.

While I had high expectations, I have not been disappointed. Many of the international designs are outstanding, including the Czech Pavilion that features a map of the old town of Prague fashioned from…63,415 black rubber ice-hockey pucks. The Canada Pavilion, conceive by Cirque Soleil, is shaped like a large letter ‘C’ and covered in large part in…what else… wood. The Japanese Pavilion has a pink luminescent membrane with solar cells, allowing it to become an eco friendly Breathing Organism. The popular UK Pavilion looks like a porcupine or dandelion about to go to seed, with 60,000 crystalline spines that are tipped with tiny lights. Other fascinating pavilions include the Spanish pavilion which is finished in wicker panels, and the multicolored Korean Pavilion decorated with Hangeul and art pixels.

Wandering around the grounds on my first days I was surprised and disappointed at how few ‘foreigners’ are about. Despite participation by so many foreign countries, I was often the only Caucasian person visiting a pavilion or enjoying a restaurant. This is unfortunate since the displays are geared to both domestic and foreign visitors and English is used throughout the site.

The signage and visitor facilities are excellent. There are plenty of attractive, clean toilets and fresh water filling stations to allow you to fill your water bottles, provided they were emptied when you went through security.

Over the coming weeks I will share some of my Expo highlights, with a particular focus on those ideas that might have direct application to Metro Vancouver. I will also offer some ideas from Shanghai city, such as the colourful outdoor exercise equipment that is scattered about for use by adults and seniors. Now why don’t we do that?

After our highly successful Vancouver 2010 Olympics, it is now China’s turn to again show the world how it is being transformed. Since the fair continues until the end of October, I would urge you to buy tickets now. But if you cannot attend, you can enjoy Expo Shanghai Online, another innovation for a World Expo. It can be found at www.expo.cn.

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

Meet me at the Fair: Shanghai Expo 2010

The first time I visited Shanghai was in December 2005 with my family en route to Thailand. I was absolutely amazed by what I discovered, and happened to come across the Urban Planning pavilion promoting the 2010 World's Fair. I vowed to return, all being well.

On Saturday I am leaving Vancouver for two weeks in Shanghai. I will be accompanied by James Lee, a mid-Pacific architect I met 35 years ago while I was at CMHC, who now divides his time between Shanghai and Vancouver. I plan to record my observations on this blog, and in a series of articles I will be writing for the Vancouver Sun.

If you have friends or acquaintenances in Shanghai who you think I should meet, please let me know. Also, if you have been to the fair and have any suggestions, I would welcome these as well.

I am loading up on cameras and hard drives to record as much as I can. I look forward to sharing what I find with you. I am expecting the fabulous!

West Vancouver's Housing Forum: Tuesday May 18

I am impressed with the efforts by West Vancouver City Council, staff, and some 'neighbourhood activists' to promote, yes promote alternative form of housing in the District. For this reason, I have happily agreed to speak on what should be an interesting panel on how to set in place an action plan to allow new housing choices. I like to think that if we can be successful in West Van, we can be successful anywhere in the region...

Join us on May 18^th for a panel discussion on how to respond to West Vancouver’s changing housing needs and an exploration of new housing types…

“Housing That Fits Us and Fits In”

A free public forum on Housing

Hosted by the District of West Vancouver

Tuesday, May 18^th

7:00 to 9:00pm

Kay Meek Centre

1700 Mathers Avenue, West Vancouver

(Doors Open at 6:00pm with information displays in the foyer)

The event will be moderated by Gordon Price. Speakers include: Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Michael Geller, Noha Sedky, Robert Brown, and Adine Mees (see attached poster for details)

For more information about the District of West Vancouver’s Housing Pilot Program, please go to www.westvancouver.ca/housing

or contact the Planning Department at 604.925.7055

Detroit: Red Wings, Tigers, Casino!

The last time I was in Detroit was in my early teens, and the purpose of the trip was to buy Adler sox and madras button down shirts that were not yet available in Toronto. The city has changed.I took the tunnel bus which normally takes 15 minutes. Unfortunately, due to construction traffic and a car running out of gas which blocked the lane, it took 1 1/2 hours. (Fortunately, I had a book to read.) Arriving in Michigan I was immediately struck by the state's slogan..."Pure Michigan". The people who come up with these slogans really ought to be shot. The next thing that struck me was the GM Renaissance Centre which dominates the city's skyline.

I tried to arrange a city tour, but people laughed at me. But I learned there was a 'people mover' and decided to create my own tour. The 'people mover' turned out to be a cousin of the Vancouver SkyTrain...it's the same technology, and it was quite spooky travelling around Detroit's downtown to the background sounds of the Canada Line.

As I passed the Joe Louis Arena, I couldn't help but think that I hope they Detroit Red Wings do well....because the city does not have a lot going for it these days.
At least certainly not the downtown. There are some attractive older buildings, including a lovely art deco building, and there's a baseball park and City Opera, yes an Opera building.... something we don't have. But there are acres of parking lots and little street life on a Saturday afternoon. Detroit's Time Square is not New York's Times Square. Where is everybody?Well, I soon found out. One of the People Mover stops was Greektown, and thinking it would be nice to get a late lunch, I got off...directly into the Greektown Casino. It was packed. I mean absolutely packed! I couldn't believe it. And the people did not look like Vancouver people. I didn't take any pictures, because I once got into serious trouble in Las Vegas for taking pictures in a casino, but just try to imagine a lot of very, very large black and white people, many pushing walkers and a surprising number of wheelchairs...and you'll start to have an impression of what I found.

After a brief visit, I found it too sad to be there. So I got back on the People Mover for another loop around the city. I eventually got off at the new Rosa Parks transit terminal, an unusual tensile roof structure, to get the 4:30 bus back to Windsor. It was very cold and windy, and the bus finally arrived at 5:55. After a brief stop at Canadian Customs (don't ask me what it was like to go through American Customs with a bus full of 'foreigners') the bus went directly to....the Windsor Casino! Later that evening, as I looked back over the river to Detroit I wished the city all the best for the future. Let's start buying Chevrolets!