UAE Expo 2010 Theme

December 17, 2009

Every World Expo has a theme and, as the organisers stress, selecting a powerful theme that resonates at the highest international level as well as at the level of the ordinary citizen is the key to the success of an Expo. Considering that more than half of the world’s population is now living in urban environments and humanity the worldover shares the common purpose of pursuing a better life, Expo 2010’s theme of ‘Better City, Better Life’ is truly universal.

Introduction
The theme of Expo 2010: Shanghai, Better City – Better Life, is particularly apposite to the United Arab Emirates’ own journey, both in the historical context and as it relates to the groundbreaking developments in sustainable living in which the UAE is playing a leading role.

As UAE cities evolve at a staggering pace, providing better living in future urban environments for the people of the UAE is a key focus. So much so that some of the world’s most exciting and innovative city-building initiatives are to be found in the UAE.

Projects such as Masdar City, the home of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, challenge conventional patterns of urban development and set new benchmarks for sustainability and environmentally friendly design. The city is part of the Masdar Initiative, the UAE’s multi-faceted investment in the exploration, development and commercialisation of future energy sources and clean technology solutions.

Many other developments in the UAE are equally as creative in their marriage of design, functionality and sustainability. Their common denominator is a people-centred approach to health and happiness, as well as the creation of living communities that are in tune with their environment and are based on the values and cultural essence of the Emirates.

We are a small country albeit with an age-old history of cultural and trading links extending from the Mediterranean to East Asia, but our influence extends far beyond our boundaries due to the power of our dreams. We want you to share these dreams with us as we bring the pearls of our experiences to you.

UAE – The Power of Dreams
The UAE has chosen ‘The Power of Dreams’ as the central thread of its participation in Expo 2010. We will expand on this unifying concept to show how the UAE has harnessed its dreams of a better life and applied imaginative thinking to lead the twenty-first century urban agenda.

Exploration of the theme in the historical, social and contemporary context will focus on how economic prosperity assisted by innovations in science and technology transformed the UAE from a rural society to thriving urbanised communities where over 200 diverse cultures live and work in harmony.

The five sub-themes of Expo 2010 will be addressed and reflected throughout the exhibition, with particular focus on key concepts such as growth and sustainability, community and connectivity, culture and diversity, concepts that are central to UAE aspirations for better city living .

The Pavilion
Our message of sustainability begins with the physical structure of the UAE pavilion. Designed by world famous architectural practice Norman Foster + Partners, the striking structure is emblematic in nature with a sinuous undulating form inspired by a key feature of the environment of the UAE, the legendary sand dunes of the Empty Quarter. It is also unique in that the pavilion will be dismantled and re-erected in the UAE when Expo 2010 is concluded.

The large size of the plot (6000 square metres) enables us to create an impressive structure within landscaped surrounds that will optimise the visitor experience from the moment a queue starts to form.

The Exhibition
The UAE pavilion will provide an immersive environment that will unfold the country’s unique personality, engage the visitor in a dialogue exploring the inherent tensions of city-living in the twenty-first century, and relate our inspiring story to the world using the latest technology. Pearls, with all their immense natural beauty and deep cultural significance for the Emirates, provide the link between the different sections of the exhibition.

In the Blink of an Eye
Meeting a grandfather and his grandson by a campfire in the desert, we experience the historical development and miraculous growth of the UAE as, fuelled by economic prosperity, cities rise from the sands bringing education, health facilities and job opportunities in fulfilment of the universal dream for a better life.

This exploration of historical urbanisation in the UAE highlights the innovative use of scarce natural resources, especially fabled Arabian pearls, and the unique rural-urban relationship that developed to suit harsh climatic conditions prevailing in the region before oil provided the means to build bigger and better cities.

Creative Energy
We follow the young boy into the UAE’s evolving cities, experiencing the social and cultural context of urbanisation, meeting the people, the lifeblood and engine of the cities, seeing that they are living creative, diverse, connected lives as they grapple with the challenges of the modern world and turn their dreams of a better life into reality.

Dream Journey
Clutching our pearls, we depart on a dream journey with the young boy and his Chinese friend, experiencing the diversity, beauty and vibrancy of contemporary UAE, its dramatic urban centres, its cultural heritage and aspirations, courtesy and hospitality, as well as its connections to the wider world.

Lasting Impressions
As we depart from the pavilion, we encounter some of the many different nationalities that have made the UAE their home and wave goodbye to the numerous friends that we have made on our dream journey. A traditional tent will also allow the visitor to experience at firsthand our age-old customs.

Business and Friendship
VIP and business visitors to the UAE pavilion will have access to the mezzanine where there will be presentations on the UAE’s business environment, and ample opportunity to meet with UAE companies.

Cultural Connections
The UAE Expo project will also include a wide range of special artistic and cultural exhibitions, academic seminars and events that will explore the UAE’s role at the crossroads between east and west and the discourse between heritage, modernisation and globalisation, at the same time reflecting the cultural and artistic reality of the UAE as a ‘living place and space’.

Topics : UAE Expo 2010 Theme, UAE Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, The 7th World Exposition 2010 Shanghai, China. Source: expo2010uae.com