| Learning from Nature's Wisdom |
 |
The overstretched activities of humankind
have exceeded the capacities of the globe's environment, and
warning signals of various dangers have already begun to flash.
Searching for ways, from a global perspective, to ensure the
sustainable coexistence of all forms of life on Earth has become
an urgent issue for all members of human society. In order to
help resolve this issue, EXPO 2005 calls for participation by
countries, international organizations, global citizens, and
NGOs and NPOs, that they may pool their wisdom through global
exchange.
Since their beginnings in London in 1851, International
Expositions have been stages for the presentation of culture
in new forms that reflect the times. Recently, however, the
role of International Expositions has shifted in a new direction,
from the conventional displays of industrial development and
progress in science and technology to a place where global-scale
issues are raised and discussed.
The turning point came in 1992 when the Earth Summit, held in
Rio de Janeiro, issued Agenda 21. This Agenda served to arouse
consciousness of environmental issues and attracted the support
of people all over the world. These currents provided the foundation
for the theme of EXPO 2000 held in Hanover, Germany, which was
"Humankind-Nature-Technology," and this spirit also
has led to EXPO 2005's theme of "Nature's Wisdom."
From Exhibition to Venue for Exchange
and Ideas
In addition, global-scale issues have raised the necessity for
diverse dialogue and exchange based on people's awareness as
global citizens. Rather than simply an exhibit of society's
progress, a venue is required that can pool the wisdom from
around the world, promote exchange on a global scale through
dialogue, and propose models for global society in the twenty-first
century. Furthermore, international organizations, private companies,
and citizens themselves will take part in the 2005 World Exposition
in Aichi through NGOs, NPOs, and other entities as well as more
than 120 countries, in a new endeavor for International Expositions.
Thus, as we embark on a new century, EXPO 2005 is seeking to
change the very role of the International Exposition itself.
Introduction to Aichi Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture, located in the center of the Japanese archipelago
in the Chubu region, is the heartland of Japan and site of EXPO
2005. It is truly an ideal stage for exchange among people and
cultures. Aichi is blessed by spectacular natural beauty, including
the surrounding Japan Alps and Hakusan Mountain Range, home
to some of the most majestic peaks in Japan; the Kiso, Nagara,
and Ibi Rivers, which flow out of these mountains; and the Nobi
Plain, with its abundant forms of life.
Traditionally, Aichi Prefecture has taken a leading
role in manufacturing. The ceramics industry, using local clay
said to be the finest in Japan, has flourished for centuries.
Currently, Aichi Prefecture is a high-tech region that has cultivated
many world-class companies in such industries as railways, aviation,
and automobile manufacturing. With Nagoya, the core of the third
largest metropolitan area in Japan, at its center, Aichi is
expected to achieve further development in the future as a region
taking the lead in Japanese industry, culture, and tourism.
Exposition Site
The Exposition site will consist of two parts: the Seto Area
and the Nagakute Area.
The Seto Area is a forest belt known as the Kaisho Forest
that, because of excessive lumbering over a long period of time,
became a desolated area, but the natural environment here has
been recovering thanks to afforestation and other projects.
This historical background is fostered by the local culture
of satoyama, or woodland areas close to human habitats directly
connected with people's livelihoods. Herein lies the origin
of EXPO 2005, which seeks to learn from the mechanisms and strengths
of ecology.
In this area, the site plan, which endeavors to exert as little
impact on the environment as possible, envisions the development
of various projects based on such themes as the satoyama lifestyle
of the area, ceramics, and the active participation and exchange
of citizens. Also, the Seto Area is scheduled to become a center
for studying and experiencing the relationship between people
and nature in the future.
The Citizens' Pavilions, the Japanese Government Pavilion, and
the Aichi Pavilion will be among the pavilions located in the
Seto Area.
The Nagakute Area was originally the site of sporting facilities
and a children's amusement park within a natural environment.
It is scheduled to become a bustling venue for a Grand Intercultural
Symphony.
Global Commons
The more than 120 countries and international organizations
that will officially participate in the Exposition will set
up their exhibit facilities and share unified spaces in the
Nagakute Area called Global Commons. There will be six such
spaces altogether. At these Global Commons, visitors will be
able to enjoy not only the pavilions of each country and international
organization but also special events, bazaars, and restaurants
unique to each of the Commons.
Global Loop
A raised corridor called the Global Loop will connect the six
Global Commons in a bridge-like fashion to each other. This
Global Loop will have a total length of 2.6 km and will be arranged
so that visitors can easily grasp where they are on the loop.
It will also be "barrier-free," so that all visitors
can move freely around the undulating site in comfort while
taking a tour around the globe in miniature.
Moreover, as the "loop" will serve as the main street
on the site, its bridge-like character will make it possible
to reduce direct impact on animal and plant life, avoid unnecessary
new large-scale development which would involve moving large
amounts of earth, thus keeping the burden on the environment
to a minimum. In addition, the Global Loop itself will be an
important stage for the Grand Intercultural Symphony, featuring
gorgeous parades, international performances, and various forms
of information technology. It guarantees to provide a very pleasant
journey.
Central Zone
The Central Zone, which the Global Loop encompasses, will feature
the Global House, which will be the symbol pavilion of EXPO
2005. In this Global House, a fantasy drama will unfold using
state-of-the-art large-screen video equipment and other devices
that take visitors from the birth of the universe to today's
earth and stimulate them to think about what kind of earth they
want to leave for future generations. In this zone, an exhibit
of an intact mammoth, the first endeavor of its kind in the
world, is also being planned.
Outdoors will be the EXPO Plaza, where visitors will be able
to enjoy, among other things, ethnic performing arts from around
the world, large-scale concerts, and live broadcasts from overseas.
The fantasy world of "In the Evening at Koi Pond,"
created by renowned artist Robert Wilson, also promises to be
a popular attraction.
NGO Global Village
This project will facilitate dialogue and exchange on issues
facing global society in the twenty-first century involving
a broad range of citizens and visitors, carried out with the
active participation of international non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and non-profit organizations (NPOs), as part of the worldwide
network of global citizens. Visitors will be able to experience
a number of entertaining and educational programs.
Attractions in the Nagakute Area will include the pavilions
of the Japanese government, Aichi Prefecture, The City of Nagoya,
and private companies. Here visitors will be able to enjoy Japan's
state-of-the-art technology, culture, and entertainment.
A number of other events are being planned as well, including
works of art and performances designed by the world-famous artist
Laurie Anderson on the theme of "Nature's Wisdom"
and an "Experiencing Nature" program in which both
children and adults can have fun learning about, playing with,
and experiencing nature.
Environmental Considerations
Efforts are being made all around to be conscious of the local
environment and make all necessary considerations. Regarding
site construction, for example, environmental assessment has
been carried out on as many as 217 items, and the opinions of
local residents concerning the environment are reflected through
a large number of related organizations. Also, the three "R"s
(reduce, reuse, recycle) are being put into practice. For instance,
trees that were in the way of construction have been transferred
to different places or donated to local residents rather than
simply cut down. In addition, 100% of the concrete that has
had to be removed has been reused in other buildings or for
other purposes. As for the transportation aspect, low-pollution
fuel-cell hybrid buses will be used to transport people around
the site. Furthermore, the organizers are making positive efforts
to introduce new experiments, such as practical research on
new energy systems and the utilization of biodegradable plastic
for Aichi Expo official original souvenir items.
Utilization of IT
EXPO 2005 will be a venue for the thorough utilization of information
technology and new experiments in IT. The latest intelligent
transport systems, including the Intelligent Multimode Transit
System, are being considered as a means of on-site transportation,
and the potential of IT will be explored in various ways, in
conjunction with existing network infrastructures, to supply
information both on and off site, increase the efficiency of
management and security control, and provide new possibilities
for various forms of entertainment, such as exciting innovations
in open-air wide screen presentations.
For the first time in the world, admission tickets will have
an embedded ultrasmall IC chip which will enable visitors to
make reservations at pavilions and restaurants, know which areas
of the site are congested, and obtain other information. There
will also be various robots on the site equipped with communication
functions.
With regard to access, several large projects are currently
underway in the Chubu region, including the construction of
Central Japan International Airport and Japan's first mag-lev
linear motor car.
We are Looking Forward to Your Participation
EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN will be more than simply an exposition.
By holding discussions, pooling wisdom, and fostering solidarity
and cooperation among the citizens of the world, it seeks to
propose models for global society. In pursuit of a sustainable
and harmonious coexistence among all life on our planet, The
EXPO 2005 Association looks forward to the participation of
all members of the world community.
Outline of EXPO
Official name: The 2005 World Exposition,
Aichi, Japan
Simplified name: EXPO 2005 AICHI,
JAPAN
Theme: "Nature's Wisdom"
Sub-themes: (1) "Nature's
Matrix" (2) "Art of Life (3) "Development for
Eco-Communities"
Duration: March 25 through September
25, 2005 (185 days)
Location: Nagoya Eastern Hills
(Nagakute Town, Toyota City and Seto City)
Expected number of visitors: 15
million
For more information about EXPO 2005 AICHI, visit the official
website at www.expo2005.or.jp.
|
|
