Society

HK holds conference to mark 100-day Shanghai Expo countdown

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-22 10:53

HONG KONG: Hong Kong held a conference on vertical density on Thursday to mark the 100-day countdown to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Entitled "Vertical Density, the Public Dimension: A Dialogue between Hong Kong - Shanghai - New York", the conference was organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China Executive Committee, and presented by the Hong Kong & New York Urban Planning Exchange, The American Institute of Architects Hong Kong and The Skyscraper Museum.

Henry Tang, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government, said at the opening ceremony that this event provided another platform following the success of the first vertical density conference in New York in 2008 for exchanging ideas among the world's largest vertical cities.

"It is also a very fitting prelude to the grand event to be held later this year - the 2010 Shanghai World Expo with the theme 'Better City, Better Life'," he said.

Tang said that the forum will focus on public spaces, one of the most important aspects of high quality city living.

"As three of the largest, most successful and dynamic vertical cities on the planet, New York, Shanghai and Hong Kong can all lead by example in providing a green, clean and vibrant city living environment for our future generations," he said.

Zhou Hanmin, Deputy Director of Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, also officiated at the conference and introduced the Shanghai Expo.

The conference was organized to publicize Hong Kong's participation in the Shanghai Expo, providing another platform following the success of the first vertical density conference in New York in 2008 for exchanging ideas among the world's largest vertical cities.

It has attracted about 300 industry professionals, students and members of the public to attend.

The 2010 Shanghai World Expo will be held from May 1 to October 31 this year.