With the opening of Expo 2010 Shanghai approaching, Professor Wu Jiang spoke about the master planning and architecture, and what the event will do for Shanghai.
As Former Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Urban Planning Administration Bureau, Professor Wu Ziang was intimately involved in the master planning and approvals process for the Shanghai Expo Site. An architect, urban planner, and educator, he is currently Vice President of Tongji Unversity. Catching up with him at the American Institute of Architects (Hong Kong) Vertical Density conference, we are bundled into a small coffee room to talk about what this year’s event will bring to the 150 year old tradition of Great Expositions.
Over a coffee and donut, he reveals insight his into the event that will bring the world to Shanghai, and Shanghai to the world. He is well placed to comment, given that during his six years with the Shanghai planning bureau he also approved all the permanent pavilions as well as many of the temporary pavilions including the national pavilions. So, with over 180 structures taking shape in the massive 5.28 sqm site, what are his expectations for the Shanghai Expo? “Every time the Expo boasts some architectural achievements that invariably become landmarks for the city. We also expect this for Shanghai. For the permanent projects we try to make them not only very efficient buildings during the event, but afterwards ensure they become very important public functional facilities for the city.”
Temporary Permanence
Under current plans, only four of the pavilions have been built as permanent structures, most notably the China Pavilion, the largest building at the Expo. Following the six month run of the Expo, it will become a exhibition and conference centre that will host public events and performances. However, Wu notes that some of the most successful pavilions may be kept in situ. These plans “don’t mean we will demolish all of the temporary pavilions after the Expo. Architecturally speaking, there are always pavilions that are so attractive, so well designed in terms of architecture, that some of them will be preserved.”
“What a waste?!”, some may cry. Especially architects, engineers and constructors charged with building the Expo facilities. However, the whole concept behind the Shanghai Expo is that the creators are encouraged to view their work as temporary, so that they break the mold in introducing technologies and materials that can be reused afterwards. This miniature life-cycle approach in itself will help advance the cause of sustainable design. Another important issue, Wu raises, is that even if some of the temporary pavilions are earmarked to remain in situ, they will have to be re-engineered to bring them in line with Shanghai’s municipal building and safety codes, which were not applied for the initial Expo designs.
Thematic Approach
The theme of Better City, Better Life is something intrinsic to how the Expo is being put together, Wu asserts. “This Expo will be very different from the past. For the past 150 years the Expo has always been about celebrating scientific and technology development. While Shanghai Expo 2010 will do this, the most important point is that it should give a totally new concept of urban development to the people, and not just show individual achievements.”
Thus instead of demonstrating about iconic architectural forms, the Expo aims to showcase “new ideas and new concepts of architecture and technology to the people of Shanghai and the world,” he says, Function and detail, rather than form will therefore be the metrics of success in 2010. Another important part of this huge opportunity is for Shanghai to interact with the world. “Visitors will get a chance to experience Shanghai’s unique history culture and architectural heritage. Shanghai has a very special architectural taste, so I’m sure this will also influence the architects and participants here.” Besides demonstrating their own design approach and knowledge, and bringing new ideas to Shanghai, Wu notes, participants from abroad will also help Shanghai to understand the value of its own culture, something that will be very helpful in encouraging people and even the government to preserve its own culture.” With that, it is time for Professor Wu to return to the conference, and continue the process of international engagement that will see Shanghai welcome the design world in 2010.
