London contributes zero-carbon buildings for Expo

an artist's rendition of the carbon-neutral buildings

an artist's rendition of the carbon-neutral buildings

The City of London is building two carbon-neutral buildings as its contribution for the Shanghai World Expo's Urban Best Practices Area.

The buildings will house a lecture hall, a restaurant, an exhibition hall and six model rooms.

Six designers will create six different styles for the rooms, which will have environmentally friendly furniture and decoration.

The inspiration for London's UBPA Pavilion came from the Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), an environmentally friendly housing development near Wallington, in the London Borough of Sutton.

an artist's rendition of the interior of the carbon-neutral buildings

BedZED community

BedZED encourages public transport, cycling and walking, and discourages cars with limited parking.

The buildings will use the technology and methods used in BedZED with adjustments for Shanghai's climate.

The London Pavilion will be situated north of Shanghai's UBPA case on the Puxi side of the Expo site.

Construction started in May.

Expo boulevard horns completed

The six horn-shaped "Sunny Valley" structures that line the 600-meter boulevard that will act as the main entrance to the World Expo 2010 site have been completed.

The 40-meter-high horns will disperse sunshine into the below-ground walkway linking the Metro station and the Expo site and will collect rainfall for watering and cleaning.

More than 50 percent of the 70 million expected visitors will enter the Expo site from the boulevard.

INBAR signs Expo contract

The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) will display its efforts in poverty alleviation and sustainable development at the 2010 World Expo.

The China-based organization has signed its participation contract with the organizer to exhibit in a joint pavilion for international organizations under the theme "Bamboo and rattan, human settlements, environment."

It will also showcase its practice in boosting the development of the bamboo and rattan industries and environmental protection.

A total of 40 international organizations have signed contracts so far.

INBAR is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental benefits of bamboo and rattan. INBAR connects a global network of partners from the government, private and not-for-profit sectors in over 50 countries to define and implement a global agenda for sustainable development through bamboo and rattan.

City being pavilion to demonstrate 'city spirits' in film

An official with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination said recently that the "city being" sub-pavilion will adopt an 8-minute film to show the spirits of cities to future visitors.

The official said that the film carries a story line of connecting five city squares around the world together. It will feature Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Uhuru (Freedom) Park in Nairobi, Kenya, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Square in Mumbai, India, Edmonton Square in Edmonton City, Canada and Hanwang Bell Tower Square in Mianzhu City, China, which was built to memorize the devastating Sichuan earthquake on May 12, 2008.

Every square will have a story, representing different aspects of the city spirits, the official said.

"City being" sub-pavilion is one of the five component pavilions of the Expo's Theme Pavilion.

The Hanwang Bell Tower Square in Mianzhu will reflect people's strong spirit in the wake of the earthquake hitting Sichuan. The clock on the bell tower stopped at the time when the earthquake hit at 2:28pm on May 12, 2008.

The film will show the scene of the earthquake and a boy searching for an object attached to his family in debris. During the 80 second episode, the rescue team will appear at the background of the boy, representing people's strength of will.

The episode will be shot in this September. A child survivor will play the role of the boy.

The movie will be shown on a set of 7 screens forming a ring and a ceiling screen with a diameter of about 40 meters, the official said.

The China Academy of Art and Zhejiang Film Studio are making the film, which will be completed by next March.

Jilin starts solicitation of Expo logo, mascot

Jilin Provincial Government's Information Office holds a press conference to start the solicitation of its Expo logo and mascot.

Jilin Provincial Government's Information Office held a press conference on Thursday in provincial capital Changchun City to start the solicitation of designs for its Expo logo and mascot.

The solicitation also seeks items to be exhibited at the Expo 2010 and materials to promote its participation in the event which begins on May 1 in Shanghai.

The logo and mascot should reflect Expo 2010's theme "Better City, Better Life" and Jilin's exhibition theme for the event "Songs and Poems at foot of Changbai Mountain." They should also reflect the concept of "building green cities, enjoying comfortable life" with Jilin's regional characteristics.

The solicitation will end by September 20. The first prize winner for Expo logo design will receive 8,000 yuan (US$1,170); two second prize winners will receive 2,000 yuan each. The office also sets a 12,000 yuan first-place prize for the mascot design winner and 4,000 yuan reward for each of the two second prize winners.

Applicants can call 0431-88580722, 15943056606 and 13624460136 for inquiry or send email to jilinshibo@163.com.

Besides, eight to 10 items will be chosen from the province's industries as exhibition items in the province's display at Expo 2010. Ten to 20 items will be selected from the province's featured products as souvenirs for visitors or gifts to distinguished guests.

Former Israeli PM Olmert visits the Expo Bureau

Hu Jinjun, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, meets Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel.

Hu Jinjun, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, met Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel, yesterday afternoon.

Hu introduced latest developments of Expo 2010 to the visiting guests. Olmert and his delegation later visited the Israel Pavilion under construction.

Senior UNESCO official discusses Expo exhibition

scene of the meeting

Helene Marie Gossilin, director of the UNESCO office in New York and a representative to the United Nations, today discussed UNESCO's display at the 2010 World Expo.

UNESCO will exhibit at a joint pavilion for international organizations but a detailed plan is yet to be worked out.

Gossilin also exchanged views with Huang Jianzhi, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, on hosting a forum about eco-protection during the Expo.

Organizer thanks Hong Kong

Hong Hao (left), director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, presents a model of the China Pavilion to Chan Ka-keung, secretary of the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau of the HKSAR Government.

A senior organizer thanked the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region this morning for its participation in the Shanghai 2010 World Expo.

Hong Hao, director of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, said he looked forward to a splendid showcase of Hong Kong at the event when meeting a delegation headed by Chan Ka-keung, secretary of the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau of the Hong Kong Government.

Chan said it was part of Hong Kong's plan to display its achievements in the financial sector to explore more business opportunities. He said the government attaches great importance to its participation in the Expo.

The special administrative region will explore the theme "Hong Kong -A City with Unlimited Potential" with a focus on its urban transport network, advanced scientific facilities, financial and trade systems, multinational culture and sustainable high-quality urban life.

Hong Kong will also showcase its multifunctional smart card in the Urban Best Practices Area of the Expo. Its "Smart Card, Smart City, Smart Life" theme will allow visitors to experience the high-tech lifestyle Hong Kong residents enjoy.

Inter-Parliamentary Union president visits Expo bureau

Huang Yaocheng, counselor for national participation with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination presents a gift to Theo-Ben Gurirab, Inter-Parliamentary Union President and Speaker of Namibia's National Assembly.

A delegation headed by Theo-Ben Gurirab, Inter-Parliamentary Union President and Speaker of Namibia's National Assembly, visited the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination this morning.

Huang Yaocheng, counselor for national participation with the bureau, delivered a progress report on the updates of World Expo 2010.

The delegation also visited the Expo site after the meeting.  

Media watchdog officials get Expo updates

Officials from the General Administration of Press and Publication learn about the master plan of the Expo.

A delegation headed by Wu Shulin, deputy chief of the General Administration of Press and Publication, yesterday visited the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.

Wu visited the Expo site and toured the bureau's exhibition hall where the 2010 event's master plan can be found. He also got a view of the Expo site from atop the building.

Wu said a batch of Expo-themed books have been published nationwide, which boosted the popularity of the 2010 Expo. He promised all-out support from the administration.