The 2nd Assembly of the Association of Cities and Regions Hosting an International Exhibition

now, with a great number of visitors, which has Panel Discussion exceeded 22 million, EXPO Aichi is about to close successfully. Ms. Christine mentioned that expositions are places for great communication. I agree with her wholeheartedly. As an opportunity to consider how we were able to accomplish this and what action AVE members will take in order to develop future Expos, the “effects” of expositions will be discussed in this first session. We also heard Mr. Pieter van Wesemael speak, from the perspective of an Moderator architect, of how to measure and evaluate the Prof. Koshin Kimura values of expositions from various points of (Professor of Gakuin University) view. He showed us that Expos, in order to create a modern society of tomorrow, must be a Session 1 place for experiments to carry out structural “EXPO’s Effects on the Regions” reform. I believe that was also the objective of EXPO Aichi. Considering these perspectives, Panelists: we will have discussions with various aspects. Mr. Nobuyoshi Hasegawa In our first session, we have panelists (Vice Governor of ), from Seville and , who have hosted Dr.h.c. Herbert Schmalstieg Expos in the past and have made use of them (Lord Mayor & Chief Executive of for their post-Expo city strategies. We can listen Hanover), to their experiences, the lessons they have Mr. Alfonso Seoane Yarza learned, and how they have exploited the (Deputy President of Foreign Relations effects of their Expos as Expo-hosting cities. Office of the City of Seville), Following them, a representative of Aichi Mr. Kinya Masuoka Prefecture and the mayor of the City of Seto (Mayor of the City of Seto) will speak about the actual actions they took for EXPO Aichi. We will then discuss the direction to be taken by Expo-hosting cities/regions. (Kimura) First, I would like to hear from Mr. In the first session of this Symposium, Alfonso Seoane Yarza from the City of Seville. the discussion will proceed under the theme, EXPO Seville in 1992 was a mega-event with a “EXPO’s effects on the Regions.” Previously, very large number of visitors, which exceeded in the keynote speech, Ms. Mari Christine 40 million. Although it would be interesting to talked about the goal of EXPO Aichi, and the hear how such an event was accomplished, organizers’ efforts and challenges in order to today, we would like Mr. Seoane to speak of the realize this goal. An environmentally conscious initial goal of EXPO Seville and the expected EXPO of the future with wide-ranging benefit during the launch and preparation. participation was held with great exchange We have several questions already among the people from all over the world. And prepared, but first of all, what was the initial

44 The 2nd Assembly of the Association of Cities and Regions Hosting an International Exhibition goal of EXPO Seville when you first began the Seville. The year 1992 marked the 500-year project? anniversary of the discovery of the American Continent, an event the government wished to commemorate with some festivities. Heavy investment was thus carried out for this purpose as well. For these two reasons—the expo and the festivities—investment was concentrated in Seville in particular. These initiatives were designed to yield distribution of wealth and investment levels equal with those of other provinces. The central government thus endeavored to achieve prosperity and economic

development in Andalucia and Seville, an effort (Seoane Yarza) that has resulted in development that is not only Good afternoon. Thank you very very advanced, but also quite well-balanced. much for your kind introduction. Firstly, I’d One example is the rapid like to talk about the history of this event. development of highways and railways. What The Seville Exposition was held in 1992, at a I would like to emphasize here is that the time when Spain had just become a member of people of Andalucia were extremely motivated, the EU. It was therefore a time when the demonstrating self-respect and re-assessing the entire country was gearing up for new level of their skills for the better. They were development. able to exude confidence and demonstrate their It was also a time of change in skills to the people of the world. politics. The Socialist Party became for the In response to your question, first time the leading political party in the therefore, I would like to emphasize that administration. Spain is comprised of 17 through the international exposition we were autonomous communities. Andalucia is able to raise the economic status of Andalucia located in the southernmost province of the to that of the other provinces, and second that country, and Seville is the capital. In 1992, it the event brought forth the confidence and was set as the venue for the exposition. self-esteem of the people. In 1992, Andalucia was still in the process of development. During that period, the (Kimura) newly-formed socialist party was looking to Thank you very much. I went to legitimize new investment in developing areas Seville several years ago after the 1992 such as Seville and Andalucia with a view to exposition. There was also the exposition of ensuring more equal distribution of wealth, and 1929. Those two international expositions were the country’s becoming a full-fledged member held during periods of historic change. 1992, as of the EU. you mentioned, was the year Spain became a The population of Spain stood at 40 million, member of the EU. It was also the 500-year with one million in the city of Seville. The anniversary of the discovery of the American central government was able to carry out heavy Continent by Columbus. 1929 was a time when investment over a short period of time due to Spain became very important in the history of the fact that the exhibition was to be held in the world and struggled to find its identity.

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Self-respect and self-esteem are very (Seoane Yarza) important because they give hopes and dreams I had not really thought about that, to the locale. As the Expos provided those, they but yes, please allow me to speak a bit further were great events. on the disadvantages or drawbacks. When we As a result of the international organized the Exposition Committee, there was exposition, I am sure you enjoyed many a certain degree of negative impact. This benefits, but there must have been some might not be the case of Aichi, in the sense that challenges and difficulties as well. What Aichi is highly developed in terms of its challenges did you face? economy. But with some communities or (Seoane Yarza) regions, factors such as large-scale investment, One of the biggest challenges or corporations setting up where they previously problems we had was that there were a lot of had no presence, or large subsidies provided to people who became “victims” of the success. the region related to the exposition can lead to Of course, the exposition itself was undeniably negative consequences once the exposition is a success. We expected some 30-35 million over. visitors, and we ended up with 40 million, a Let us consider the very short time number that exceeded our expectations. Our frame of the first two or three months following preparations could not adequately the conclusion of an expo, which in the case of accommodate the large number of people. Seville fell in 1993-94. The regional economy One day, we had as many as 600,000 visitors, had not yet been able to absorb the effect of the resulting in a great deal of congestion at the exposition during this time. It was a very venues. time-consuming process for the region to Furthermore, we were working with a absorb and digest the investment. total space of just 215 hectares, which meant I believe that it is necessary to that we were not always able to offer an properly prepare the receiving end for the optimal level of service. The economic impact of an expo, though in Japan higher-than-expected turnout meant that the there is no need to prepare the region or event was a great success, but at the same time community for the economic impact of such an brought about certain problems. event. For cities or regions that are not prepared for it, however, if the economic impact comes (Kimura) about very quickly, it is very difficult for the I guess that’s the difficulty lying investment, economic impact, and economic beneath the success. assistance to be absorbed. It has been 13 years since EXPO The idea is that the private sector Seville. After the EXPO, a program called absorbs the investment and becomes the driving “Cartuja ’93” was carried out, which was force behind economic development. In designed to develop the site into a park for new Seville’s case, however, this was an extremely technologies. In that sense, the exposition must time-consuming process. At the risk of have impacted not only on Cartuja but on sounding partial, I can honestly give the Seville Seville as a whole. Could you describe the event nine out of ten points, yet at the same ongoing impacts that you wish to continue? time there is no denying that in the years 1993-94 there was clearly difficulties related to the expo due to the region’s inability to absorb

46 The 2nd Assembly of the Association of Cities and Regions Hosting an International Exhibition economic impact. environment we share with all people living on It is important that the ongoing use of this planet. EXPO Hanover was an expo to be sites be given proper consideration prior to the remembered as a historical event because the holding of an exposition. Before the completion major theme was how to live in this world as of the exposition, Cartuja ’93 was established we moved from the 20th century to the 21st as a public corporation. We held discussions century. And it reflected a drastic modification on the use of the sites through this public in the way we viewed the global environment. corporation after the expo, at which time it was EXPO Hanover received many decided that we would convert the space to evaluations as to whether it was a success or industrial and science and technology parks. not. I would like to hear about the basic concept In Cartuja, industrial parks now accommodate behind the exposition, its overall significance, as many as 250 companies, and 10,000 new and finally, its impact on the local region. So jobs have been created throughout the city. now let us turn to Dr. Herbert Schmalstieg, We have achieved a multiplier effect for the Lord Mayor of the City of Hanover. regional economy. In that sense, our city has realized steady economic growth. In the years 1993-94, however, right after the end of the exposition, a long period of time was required to absorb the investment. My advice for cities hosting future exhibitions would be to create organizations designed to facilitate absorption of economic impact.

(Kimura)

You have raised some very important issues. “Burnout Syndrome” is a buzzword we (Schmalstieg) hear a lot these days. It is a syndrome Thank you very much. We first characterized by exhaustion and diminished began to consider the possibilities of holding an interest that strikes people after a period of expo in Germany in the in the late ‘80s. The overwork. I am sure Seville must have initiative came from our company, Deutsche experienced some degree of burnout. However, Messe AG. The company was established by you now seem to have made a recovery with the City of Hanover and the State of Lower the creation of Cartuja ’93. You have to think of Saxony. There was a need to renovate and long-term development when you consider modernize the area of nearly 1 million m2 of regional development. Seville can therefore be trade fair site. considered as a very good model for us. Thank The expo offered an opportunity to you very much. renovate the trade fair site and halls into facilities befitting of 21st century venues. Next, in the year 2000, the City of Infrastructure as well had to be set up with Hanover hosted a World Exposition. As some future developments in mind. Hanover had of you know, EXPO Hanover, in many respects, the good fortune to stage an expo at an is said to be the turning point in the history of existing trade fair site. Sixty-percent of the world exposition, as its theme was the Expo grounds had been utilized for large trade

47 The 2nd Assembly of the Association of Cities and Regions Hosting an International Exhibition fairs in Hanover, which meant that we needed enhance lifestyles of people around the globe. to develop only 40% of the site required. This was the first step in (Kimura) demonstrating that it is possible to utilize Thank you very much. It seems that, existing infrastructure for such events. The by taking various perspectives into initial idea of a sustainable Expo was not consideration, you have tried to come up with a limited to the concept of using existing very good strategy for EXPO Hanover. Besides infrastructure. The Expo gave Hanover and developing the infrastructure, you have worked the surrounding region the opportunity to on and realized a very good mechanism of optimize transportation infrastructure, not only worldwide citizen participation projects to of its public traffic system--which was one of complement the infrastructure development. the leading systems in Germany--but also in its These projects had a very big impact on EXPO fair site transport system traversing Hanover, Aichi, and it could be one of the most including regional road links. significant themes for future Expos. Especially after unification, which There is one more question that I occurred in 1990, the road through Hanover would like to address to you, Dr. Schmalstieg. was particularly important due to the opening We have discussed regional development and of the borders between eastern and western the general policy behind it. What would be a Europe. The traffic flowed through Hanover, good way of utilizing the exposition, that is to largely in the eastern direction. say, how can we make good use of expositions Hanover provided us with the opportunity to for the betterment of local regions? What accomplish this at an earlier date. approach do you have to improving the Another goal was to build more community? apartments to meet housing demand. The event provided the opportunity for us to devise more (Schmalstieg) efficient means of using energy and water. The Expo 2000 was an outstanding and knowledge developed at Hanover then came to peaceful celebration that brought together the be known around the world, and Hanover is nations of our world. We achieved our goals now renowned not just for its trade fairs. One for renewing the infrastructure in our region, of our aims here was regional civil and the area’s transport infrastructure is now participation. one of the best in Europe. There is no region As the Expo had to be sustainable, comparable to Hanover in terms of efficient one of our objectives was to not build too many long-distance transportation. Today, buildings that could not be used after the event, transportation infrastructure, motorways and or to build recycled structures, like the Japanese trains are ready to accommodate the anticipated pavilion, for example, which was made of rapid growth in traffic between eastern and special paper. For the Hanover event, we western Europe in the next 20 years through wanted to recycle as much as possible, and to north-south transport links through Hanover. carry out construction in the eastern part of the The people of Hanover and the site. surrounding region numbered one million and The Hanover event was designed to the time of the expo, and the event enjoyed function as an international conference for extensive support form the people. The event discussing the future of the world, featuring the has resulted in lasting international ties on the concept of “world-wide projects” designed to level of the individual between the people of

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Hanover and international visitors. As a city The Hanover event has shown that, even in this with a history of holding large-scale era of the Internet, direct contacts are still international events, the people of Hanover take needed for better understanding between the an open-minded view of the international various cultures in our world. It is possible community. that even in times of great barriers related to The sustainable new housing area ethnicity, the people of the different nations of near the fair site features living areas for young the world can come together to celebrate as families, and 3,800 new apartments are on the one. market in Hanover. The concept of the worldwide Tourism has increased after the Expo. projects that were created for Expo 2000 offer The capacity of accommodation in Hanover hope for the future. Linking the Expo with and the surrounding region is now being interesting projects all over the world into a bolstered. We are also seeing an increasing network of sustainable and educational number of tourists visiting the area—some experience should be a focus of future expos, 4-8% per year. and can lead to more effective community The question is now what participation in expositions. improvements can be made in the future. The global dialogue was a forum Though Hanover has come to be known especially designed for the nongovernmental internationally through the media, our organizations to discuss global needs for a recognition level is as yet not optimal. Another sustainable and peaceful global village. This problem with expos is that they are each so experience should also be incorporated into different that one cannot predict exactly what future expos. course they will take. This is a difference between expositions and the Olympic Games. (Kimura) It is therefore important to ensure that people Thank you very much. Connecting around the world have a prior understanding of one exposition to others through worldwide what expos are. global projects was a great accomplishment. People from areas outside the expo EXPO Hanover has also demonstrated various region were more concerned abut the cost of ways of citizen participation. I expect Hanover the expo and about the opportunities it would to undertake hosting an exposition again in a create for fostering global networks, or different form. Thank you very much. opportunities for us to present the unique Now we would like to move on to the aspects of our culture. In future expos, there subject of the local venue of EXPO Aichi. should be greater focus on the value of an Through the Expos, both Seville and Hanover international community, and on the value of consistently took advantage of their own presenting cultural treasures in the format of the specialties and features for the future expo. improvement of their regions. One idea is to keep expo pavilions Some argue that an exposition is permanently for future use after the close of merely a transient event, but this is far from the events, and another is to construct temporary case. Expos send us messages of great wisdom pavilions. We found it difficult at the trade fair that indicate a sustainable and lasting direction to fully convey the concept of sustainability to for regional development and community all exhibiting nations. improvement. This could be a part of the The concept of the expo has a future. conclusion of today’s symposium. I would like

49 The 2nd Assembly of the Association of Cities and Regions Hosting an International Exhibition to know how organizers of EXPO Aichi took for regional development and citizen-initiated that message. From 1988, there have been ups community improvement. We also hoped that and downs during the organization of EXPO the Expo would bring a greater recognition of Aichi, and I would like to hear the opinions of our city to the world so that the number of Aichi Prefecture as the hosting organizer and visitors would increase and international the City of Seto as the hosting locale. exchange activities would be stimulated. We First of all, I would like to pose a were quite determined to turn our city into a question to Mr. Kinya Masuoka, Mayor of new city of culture with ceramic manufacturing Seto. There was a lot of discussion and as a main appeal. That was what we initially argument since the decision to have an Expo expected for the Expo. until the selection of the site. Although it might Then, with the rise of have seemed that the Expo was gradually environmentally oriented issues, such as the receding in the eyes of the people of Seto, we discovery of goshawk nests, a change was were able to proceed with the preparation and, made to the plan of the Expo venue. The at the end, were able to celebrate the opening of environmental concerns of the time made it the Expo. You must have put a lot of effort into very difficult for us to pursue our original goal this process, and I'm sure you have many things for the city. Nevertheless, the City of Seto has in your mind after seeing the popularity of the gone through great transformations through the Expo. Today, I would like you to look back and process. tell us about your initial expectations of Seto One of transformations was the for EXPO Aichi. redevelopment of the downtown area, including the construction of two facilities for citizens and visitors: “Seto-Gura” and “Parti Seto.” We have also improved the infrastructure including the roads and landscapes on the riverside, and wide relaxing pedestrian walkways. Furthermore, we have established good relationships with overseas friendship cities, namely Jingdezhen, Limoges and Nabeul. We have gained a spirit of hospitality with the exchanges through ceramics, volunteer organizations, and a home-stay program called “Seto’s House,” which I think will lead Seto to (Masuoka) a bright future. What first comes into my mind is the Compared to the initial goal, which moment when we won the Expo 8 years ago in was to transform the transient excitement of the 1997. A lot of citizens were very excited, and Expo into the spark for the development of Seto, the citizens, government, and private we can now proceed with city improvement, companies came together in order to rediscover including citizen-initiated activities, such as the good parts of Seto and to build up a new volunteer activities and civic participation to Seto based on history. We felt that the Expo the Expo, with a longer-term view. would bring us the energy to do so. A strong intention has been The intention of Seto was to take developed among the citizens, the government advantage of the effects of the Expo as a trigger and companies to create the new Seto of the

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21st century by changing our awareness. For it will always remind us to think of our city and the City of Seto, this has been a great effect of its culture of ceramics. EXPO Aichi. Passing down this spirit is now an By being the venue of the exposition, important task; therefore, these 15 years spent a lot of citizens participated in volunteer for preparation of this event have been well activities, welcoming visitors, and performing worth it. in events. Participation in the Expo brought self-confidence to all the citizens, which will be (Kimura) the engine for the future development of the Thank you. I see that the initial City of Seto. expectation of the Expo that it would bring As a commemoration of the Expo in positive effects to the city changed through the the City of Seto, we also organized “Seto process. People in the city began to focus on Yakimono(ceramics) World Communication,” what the city would be able to provide for the an exchange event. An unprecedentedly Expo and how the city could be transformed in enormous number of citizens participated in order to do so. Considering the efforts of Seto this unique event. The event helped us acquire in facing any problems head-on, I think the plan an international way of thinking through changes of the Expo did not necessarily have a various exchanges with the delegations from negative effect on the city, but rather brought overseas sister cities and the pavilion staff from benefits. After such changes within the city, overseas. It is a matter of great pride for the what is the goal of future regional development citizens of Seto and an asset for us. We would via the utilization of EXPO Aichi? like to use this newly gained worldly attitude and energy as a driving force behind the (Masuoka) creation of a new Seto with both a deep history As I mentioned, we evaluate and modern sense. ourselves for the great change of not only the infrastructure but also the community. One of (Kimura) the biggest changes has been the rise in the Thank you. The City of Seto has recognition of the City of Seto. The city has undergone a significant change, and the same is been well known for its “ceramics” in this area, true of the Seto residents. Walking around the but as there are many places called Seto in city, you hear a lot of citizens welcome you Japan, it did not stand for that much. Now with with a big smile and warm greetings. the Expo, the name of the city is quite My observation of the biggest change recognized inside and outside our country. I in Seto is the self-confidence of the city. The think this is both a tangible and an intangible citizens together with the local government asset. now feel that they are capable of carrying out As a symbol of this Expo, we created something significant. Earlier, the City of a ceramic memorial monument, which reaches Seville also touched on the topics of thirty meters in diameter. Its effects should be self-esteem and self-confidence. The Expo has more than just a memorial object, as it shown us that the citizens with new attitudes symbolizes not only the industrial culture of have the ability to change the city. Seto but also the manufacturing of Aichi. Taking that lesson into consideration, We anticipate a great change in this is there any regional development plans you area, but with the maintenance and would like to pursue further? management of the ceramic object, we believe

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(Masuoka) world’s attention through the Expo, the City of During the preparation of the Expo, Seto intends to pursue the goal of becoming a there have been many changes to the plan for city of industrial tourism as well as a city that the venue, which is a very critical matter. can develop through international and domestic Conventional selections of Expo venues were exchanges. We also intend to utilize the based on plans of urban development or citizens’ power, which has shown great promise reformation, which enabled the locales to through the volunteer activities at the exhibition. continue the experiments of construction and Our goal is to become a city that nurtures the civil engineering and turn them into city potential of its own citizens. planning methods. These were hard- We have made efforts to infrastructure-focused policies made by the accomplising the goal of hosting an Expo in authorities, which could be considered as a this region and have steadily implemented a top-down approach. Citizens could do nothing project called “Seto Marutto Museum,” which but accept it. deems the whole city as a one great museum But for EXPO Aichi, the site will be with focus on the historical heritage, industrial returned to its original state. So, except for a tourist spots, museums, and facilities where few monuments, there will be nothing visible to visitors can participate in some activities. remember the achievements of the Expo. Some Throughout a number of projects that might evaluate the Expo as a transient event; have already been carried out, a lot of citizens however, as this Symposium symbolizes, an participated as volunteer guides and contributed exposition is a huge experimental field to create greatly to energize this town. We intend to the next era for the local area. As the further develop the project of “Seto Marutto Exposition of the 21st Century, EXPO Aichi, for Museum,” by making use of so-called “soft the next generation, illustrated various infrastructure,” which was obtained by the technologies, life-styles, and how to co-exist Expo and is now our ultimate mission. with nature. These achievements of Expo During the Expo, much attention was should be clarified so that the local region can paid to nature and “satoyama,” which is so take them over. The locale should then steadily close that its existence used to be easily develop a future vision of what to newly create, forgotten. This city is located in an area of great and a specific plan and timetable to realize that natural beauty, which we have nurtured and vision. cherished. We would like to pursue harmony In particular, future community between industry and nature by recognizing improvement by making use of the inheritance nature’s wisdom. We will try to use our wisdom achieved by the Expo will surely draw great and discuss how the protection of our nature interest. By recognizing the uniqueness and the can be connected to improvement in the living history as a ceramics center, Seto intends to standards of the Seto citizens. build up a new industrial city, whose core will We would like to pursue the be ceramic industries with the latest technology possibility of the region’s development in a way and the strong possibility of contributing to a that allows the people to live in harmony with future sustainable environment-oriented society. nature, and apply the results of this experiment Taking lessons from ancient history, we intend to the future construction of the new industrial to establish a Seto of the new period. Local city, supported by the “environment,” “culture,” industries with a lot of energy should stimulate and a “new internationalism.” tourism. With the experience of drawing the It was indeed a great honor for the

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City of Seto to participate in the first international Expo in the 21st century, and we hope to play a more significant role in the sustainable development of the globe in harmonious coordination with industry. We are eager to do as much as possible. This concludes my presentation. Thank you very much.

(Kimura) Thank you, Mayor of Seto. The City of Seto has learned a great deal from the international Expo. Those lessons will be the (Hasegawa) driving force for the transformation of the It has been exactly 17 years since we region and will also be passed down to the next started to make preparations. Since then, an generation for further development. enormous number of people have been Three cities, Seto, and involved. As one of these people, I always City, have played a big role in realized that there was bound to be some stimulating EXPO Aichi; however, Aichi misunderstanding. I knew that some people Prefecture, a municipality for a larger area, was would incorrectly assume that this would just the actual hosting organizer for the Expo be a larger version of a small regional project. Compared with the word “regions” exposition. The first thing we had to do was to used for the aforementioned municipalities, the clearly explain the difference to the people of definition of “region” has many more meanings Aichi, so that everyone understood that the when we discuss Aichi Prefecture, which is the large scale of the event was not, on its own, the center for manufacturing in Japan with most noteworthy quality, and that EXPO 2005 enormous economic impact. Once again, it is would not merely be a large-scale regional necessary to clarify the significance of the exposition. We had to persuade the people as to prefecture’s efforts to host an international the value of and the role to be played by an exhibition, and Mr. Hasegawa, Vice Governor international exposition. We learn a great deal of Aichi Prefecture, is here with us today as a from those who come before us; after much panelist. In order to realize EXPO Aichi, there consideration, I have come to the conclusion must have been many difficulties. I would like that there are three points of fundamental to hear about past challenges, future issues and importance that need to be thought out. Aichi Prefecture-initiated plans for the future of To begin with, world expositions are this region. global-scale international events which are First of all, could you tell us what based on international convention. Even actual regional development was undertaken enormous undertakings like the Olympic and how you expect Aichi Prefecture to change Games are not bound by conventions; we must via the utilization of EXPO Aichi? This keep in mind that world expositions are. question is quite comprehensive; however, as The second point is that the Expo is about to close, we would like the responsibility for the event is vested in the host Vice Governor, as a steerer for future projects, country’s central government. It is the state that to share your views. is ultimately responsible. Thirdly, the area where the exposition

53 The 2nd Assembly of the Association of Cities and Regions Hosting an International Exhibition is held assumes the risk that such an event was that we needed to do whatever possible to encompasses. The future of the host community ensure that our region was not left behind. In and region will be greatly impacted. terms of preparing soft infrastructure for the The reason world expositions have world exposition, we aimed to create a region this 150-year history is because we have always that could meet the challenges posed by been very successful at taking these globalization, and in the process give Aichi considerations into account. Although some Prefecture a good image and really put expositions were criticized as having been held ourselves on the map. mainly for the host country’s prestige, and In terms of hard infrastructure, we some have been criticized for focusing only on knew we would have to accommodate the great the economic development of the host region, influx of visitors projected. Furthermore, we at all times there has been a very good felt that our plans should not only be for the observance of these guidelines. The result has sake of this exposition. There has been a been wide international support for world long-term strategy in place all along for the expositions, and that is why we are still going construction of hard infrastructure. From strong 150 years later. railways to roads to the new airport, most At the height of Japan’s bubble projects were not planned for the sake of EXPO economy, leaders from various fields held that 2005 alone. Many were envisioned outside of hosting a world exposition should be Aichi’s this framework, but with the world exposition objective for the coming era. We had already as a driving force, we were able to transition set our goals for regional development in the from planning to realization more swiftly. By early 21st century, which was still more than preparing these infrastructures, we, the host ten years away. We debated over what would be region, were making due preparations for necessary to keep our region flourishing, and international and domestic cooperation, and this we knew that it would take a major undertaking occupied us for those ten-plus years. to keep up our momentum. Next, we had to consider how we As we considered candidate projects wanted to change and promote Aichi through to spur regional development in the new era, hosting EXPO 2005. As I said before, one thing the idea of hosting a world exposition came up. we needed was regional planning suitable to the A world exposition is, of course, a new era of exchange among people, goods and multi-faceted, far-reaching undertaking, information. involving industry, culture, the arts, Secondly, as the Governor mentioned international relations, education and human in the beginning, we sought to make our resource development. I believe that it was the prefecture as environmentally advanced as intent of our leaders at that time to overcome possible. During those ten-plus years of these many challenges and to funnel the planning, you might say that we were Japan’s resulting success into the lifeblood of our test case for changing to more region. environmentally-friendly policy. In 1995, with Now to give you some background, the ratification of the Biodiversity Convention, we assumed that in the 21st century, the world new strategies were implemented. Japan's would be vastly more internationalized than in environmental policy had greatly changed by the late 20th century; much more so, in fact, that that time, and we struggled with the pros and it actually is today. It would be an era of cons of developing a venue in the Seto area. We exchange, and the common wisdom at that time actually changed our plans for the location of

54 The 2nd Assembly of the Association of Cities and Regions Hosting an International Exhibition the site in order to protect the endangered years’ time, by how culturally influential the species in the area. We extensively studied the host region is. We might not be able to see all environment of this region, and probably the effects of this enterprise immediately after learned more about environmental issues than the 25th of September, but I ask you to wait 5, anyone else in Japan at that time. As a result of 10 or 15 years, and in the meantime I would be that effort, it was soon clear that we would need very grateful for your continued cooperation to give greater thought to the protection and with and support for regional development conservation of the environment when efforts. considering development. Thirdly, we witnessed grassroots (Kimura) participation on an unprecedented scale. It is Thank you very much for your our immense number of volunteers that makes encouraging comments. Your decision for it possible to manage and care for our many long-term commitment was clearly expressed. visitors, and this momentum should not end on It is often said that there are two tasks for Aichi September 25. In order for EXPO 2005 to have Prefecture, which are 1) to promote the been truly successful, we must continue to take industries and to create new industries of the advantage of this system, this amazing potential, future, and, in the meanwhile, 2) to promote and use it for the benefit of future regional environmentally friendly projects as an development efforts and our prefectural Environmentally Advanced Prefecture. This government. leads us to the topic of the sustainability. A fourth point to consider, as Prof. What is sustainability? Where do Kimura mentioned, was burnout syndrome. It we find it? It is not enough to maintain society so happens that after large and transient events insofar as petroleum is available. The like a world exposition or the Olympics, we promotion of industries and environmentally must expect some degree of burnout syndrome. friendly projects should be continued, and Because of the wisdom gleaned from our citizens should be able to play an actual role in predecessors, however, we have long been able regional development. With such efforts, EXPO to maintain our position as Japan’s most vital, Aichi’s achievements will be perpetuated so prosperous region. We would certainly not that we will be able to be proud of it for years allow EXPO 2005 to leave us financially to come. We hope that, 3 years later in depleted and sapped of strength; we are going Zaragoza, we will be able to discuss the to keep working to stimulate industry and keep regional developments and community this region energized. improvements carried out in Aichi Prefecture. In order to stimulate industry we have Hosting cities and regions must have now embarked upon creating new businesses in gone through the same challenges as we now the field of healthcare, as well as industries that face. I would therefore like to ask Mr. Seoane cater to the needs of an aging society. Through Yarza from the City of Seville for comments on these efforts, the success of EXPO 2005 will EXPO Aichi. become apparent in the next 5 to 10 years. This success will not be centered on the Expo site; it (Seoane Yarza) will be seen in the prosperity that springs forth I attended the Aichi expo twice, and I from all across this region. must say I was very impressed. The event It has been said that the success of a achieved an excellent balance between world exposition can be measured only after 10 large-scale development and the exhibits. At the

55 The 2nd Assembly of the Association of Cities and Regions Hosting an International Exhibition site, there was a very good balance, and there opportunities for the concentration of public was also harmony with the environment. resources in host regions, and so I think this Indeed, at EXPO Aichi, we were able to see a event has been very meaningful for Japan and lot of incredible unprecedented features, and I especially for Aichi Prefecture. give the organizers of the event a great deal of credit. (Kimura) Big elephants can be accommodated Thank you very much. Although we in a small shop, the Spanish people say. The are grateful for so many words of praise, it is same can be said the EXPO Aichi sites. This important for us to make use of them as an place is blessed with a magnificent natural impetus to move forward and to pass on our setting, and the fact that the expo was held at achievements of EXPO Aichi to the next Expo this site was a wonderful thing. I am very cities, Zaragoza and . We will make much looking forward to hearing from you in efforts in this area to complete those tasks. three years’ time. EXPO Aichi has given us So this brings us to the end of the ideas on how to incorporate the concept of first part of this symposium. In the second nature in expos through the more than 100 session, we will discuss the role played by the participating pavilions. It was very nice. citizens who supported EXPO Aichi. Let us show our appreciation to all of the panelists by (Kimura) giving them a big hand. Once again, thank you Thank you very much. Lastly, I all very much. would like to turn to Lord Mayor Schmalstieg of Hanover. You have successfully overcome great difficulties in order to accomplish the international exposition and have watched the changes of the city after the Expo for five years. I would like to ask Mr. Herbert Schmalstieg for some comments and to conclude this session.

(Schmalstieg) Yes, it is very true that the face of Hanover was greatly changed by the expo. I would like to congratulate the organizers of EXPO Aichi on their excellent work. I feel the concept of the expo has been demonstrated to its fullest in Aichi. The three cities of Nagakute, Seto and Toyota, and Aichi Prefecture as a whole, can be very proud of EXPO 2005. Clearly, the concepts of EXPO 2005 are being perpetuated, and future host cities Zaragoza, and Shanghai can learn many things from Aichi. Expositions can provide

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