BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES EXPOSITIONS | THE NEWSLETTER | N07 4 N 07 - Fall 2007

Progression
Best Practices at OECD
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is often called a best practices institute or an orchestrator
of best practices.
The organisations 30 member countries work is that best practices do not in fact lt is in this spirit that the OECD is honoured
from Europe, North America and the exist. And even if they did, it would not and proud to participate in Shanghai 2010.
Western Pacific Rim have elaborated be the worlds most developed countries We hope to not only contribute to public

The BIE Newslet ter

guidelines, principles, model laws and that were the sole source of such best education on the theme of Better City,
policy recommendations on subjects practices. Better Life.
like corporate responsibility, taxation, the While lessons from experience can be We also expect to
environment, information technology and very useful, one size does not fit all. These learn even more from
urban and regional policy, to mention just lessons of best practice must be adapted the countries, other
a few. to each countrys own cultural, political organisations and public
These best practices are the fruit of and historical context. Each country must participating in this
careful analyses of the many good and
bad policy experiences from the wide
ultimately find its own path.
Today, the OECD would prefer to be thought
event.
John West
EXPOS AND BEST PRACTICES
Expo 2012 in Korea
variety of economic and political contexts in of as a hub for policy dialogue on global Director of the Forum
The city of Yeosu will host the lnternational Expo in 2012.
our member countries. issues where our best practices can be a OECD
One of the major lessons from the OECDs starting point for such dialogue.
SUMMARY
Expo Yeosu 2012 will be held from May 12 to August 12, 2012, under the theme,
The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities.
Through this global event, Expo Yeosu 2012 wishes to contribute to the international
Urban Best Practices : an introduction to the Spanish case 2 mobilization against the overexploitation and degradation of the oceans and
coasts, whose grave consequences threaten the future of humanity.
Democratic Spain is now 30 years old and its cities are probably the best mirror of its transformation. Geneva
Expo Yeosu 2012 aspires to move for ward this common project of the international
In the 70s, many Spanish cities witnessed political claim: participation. Opposition to Local governments are elected, but, in Lille community in the 21st centur y for human development that is both meaningful
the development of social and cultural enforced urban policies, rejection of non- the large cities, they must decentralize. and sustainable by comprehensively assessing the roles of oceans and coasts
movements, which were at the same time representative municipalities, recognition The rights of citizens and the necessary Editorial in this endeavor.
critical and constructive. While questioning of the citizens voting right, the need to competencias to apply them to new
Approximately 7.95 million visits are expected during the three-month period of
the ciy planning of the dictatorship participate in the development of plans domains of local policies expand.
the Expo, to which par ticipation from 80 countries, 10 international organizations,
- considered to foster segregation, and projects and in the execution and Communication and the democratization of
10 multinational companies, and civil society organizations is expected.
speculation and ugliness - they contributed management of projects or services. Public information technology became particularly 3
to lay the foundations for a democratic participation became a fundamental important, as well as the right to mobility in http://www.expo2012.or.kr
planning that developed in the following component of local democracy and of the metropolitan areas that make up the Zaragoza 2008
decade. lt was in this period that Best urban policies. modern city.
Shanghai 2010
Practices found their guiding principles.
The third is modernity. Even the reclaiming of the urban identity
The first principle is the right to the city. The municipalities, is expressed in modern terms: using the
This concept integrates the citizens need elected since 1979, heritage as an element of quality of life, of
for housing, equipment, services, public collected a wealth socio-cultural integration and of attractive
spaces, accessibility, centrality, and identity. of innovative ideas positioning in a new, globalized world.
and practices 4
lt claims equal quality of life for all inhabitants, Based on these observations, the three
mostly shaped by
an integrated view of urban policies and concepts that, in our view, must structure OECD
the resistance to the
the recognition of inhabitants as citizens the presentations of the Spanish cities at
dictatorship during Spain
with full rights. The need for quality will also Expo 2010, are:
the earlier years.
apply to urban design and architecture.
- Right to the city: identity and life quatlity
Planning was viewed as core to urban
The second principle is democracy. The
70s were characterized by an occupation
policies, but projects and programs
- Democracy and citizens participation
- Modernity and universality
Ambassador Jean-Pierre Lafon is the
were emphasized and prioritized, that is
or construction of public spaces for citizens,
both in physical and political dimensions.
the direct and visible intervention on the Jordi Borja new President of the BIE
territory. Director, Management Program of the City
The citizenship claim soon translated into a Oberta University of Catalunya, Spain On November 27th M. Lafon is former Ambassador of France
2007, Ambassador to Lebanon and to China, Secretary
Jean-Pierre Lafon was General of the French Ministry of Foreign
elected President of the Affairs and Director of the United Nations
lmpor tant Dates CONTACT
34 Avenue dIna
75016 Paris
Best wishes BIE by the 140 member-
states gathered for the
and lnternational Organizations.
Jean-Pierre Lafon replaces Ambassador
4 February: Opening of the BIE travelling exhibition Expo X Expos, Palazzo della Triennale, Milan, Italy
4-5 February: Milan 2015, 2nd lnternational Symposium
Tel : 01 45 00 38 63
Email : [email protected]
for a happy organizations 142nd
Wu Jianmin, who was appointed
New Year 2008 ! General Assembly, in
www.bie-paris.org Honorary President of the BIE.
6-7 February: 3rd Meeting of the lnternational Participants, Zaragoza 2008 BIE Paris.
14-17 February: lzmir, Turkey, 2nd lnternational Symposium
 BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES EXPOSITIONS | THE NEWSLETTER | N07 2 BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES EXPOSITIONS | THE NEWSLETTER | N07 3

For a shared quality of life Reclaiming the Ebro and Expo Zaragoza 2008
The city of Geneva is delighted to be associated with the Urban Best Historically, the river Ebro has played an ambiguous role in the urban growth of Zaragoza.
Practices Area, a space, within the Expo Shanghai 2010 Better City, Over the centuries, the city has identified itself with its river, changed, to incorporate principles related to urban best practices,
Better Life, dedicated to best practices promoting quality of life in the despite the fact that it represented an obstacle that pushed urban for a sustainable development based on the improvement of the
urban environment. development towards the south, on the right-bank. quality of public spaces.
Without pretending to be exemplary, the city of Geneva is making significant Even though in the 19th century some industries and infrastructures The location of the Expo, near the river, in a meander close to the
efforts in infrastructure (day-care centers, schools, green spaces, athletic were built on the left-bank, only in the 70s, with the construction historical centre, satisfies this objective to integrate and reconvert
facilities, cultural offerings, housing, meeting places for the elderly, etc.) as well
of new bridges integrated into the road system of the city, the river the Ebro into a new public space, a green space open to the city.
as in collective practices for the promotion of participation, social solidarity, and
ceased to be an almost insurmountable physical barrier.
integration. The Expo theme, Water and Sustainable Development, goes hand
These efforts rely especially on projects through which we seek to actively However, although the city had eliminated the separation with in hand with an urban and environmental strategy starting with the
engage the population in the life of the city (for instance, by means of the left bank, the Ebro began to deteriorate and slowly became construction of a metropolitan water park and of a multifunctional
neighbourhood contracts, in the near future) and to promote a positive an almost hidden element, completely severed from urban space which will become a new centre for the city.
cohabitation. Some of the initiatives that can be cited include the participatory development.
ln parallel, the actions of the Support Plan will be decisive to
budget in schools, the associative management of neighbourhood houses,
The goal to integrate the Ebro into the city and to open the city to connect the citizens with the waterways that run through the city
the Neighbourhood Fair, the Musical Festival, the Senior Town, or the active
the river, was the leitmotiv of the actions of the Plan of Rivers the Ebro, Gallego, Huerva, and the lmperial Canal of Aragon
promotion of popular sports. These actions contribute to build social solidarity
and therefore to bridge the gaps between the youth and the elderly, locals and of the Expo Zaragoza 2008 project. and for its transformation into a green belt that will significantly
and migrants, and between people of different socio-economic backgrounds. Best practices in Expos Reclaiming the rivers of Ebro is part of a concept that considers
improve the urban and landscape quality of Zaragoza.

Quality of life only makes sense if it is sustainable and shared by everyone! As we enter a new era in the 21st century waterways and their urban journey as elements that are both Javier Moncls
where sustainable development is no longer natural and cultural. These concepts belong to a long tradition in Architect
Sami Kanaan
a choice but a necessity, we find ourselves European cities. However, in the last few years, their meaning has Zaragoza 2008
Deputy Director for Social, Educational and Environmental Affairs
City of Geneva turning more and more towards the concept
of best practices.

The City as a Decisive Place for

Why? Because best practices allow us to learn
from our past mistakes and make the best out
Best practices at Expo Shanghai 2010
Sustainable Development of them for a better future. As the first of its kind in the history
of World Expo, Urban Best Practices
We see best practices everywhere: in the
The challenge of reconciling progress, social justice, and the preservation of Area will be one of the highlights of
corporate business world, in international
conditions for future development on the local and global level is enormous. Expo 2010, to echo the theme of
organizations, and now more and more in the
It requires responding to the local urban planning of major cities around the world,
Better City, Better Life.
needs of sustainable development by to name a few. The UBPA will provide a great opportunity
sharing resources at the global level for urban best practices, conducted by
while integrating diversity of cultures What better place than an Expo a place
representative cities around the world,
and knowledge. where members of the international community
to improve the quality of urban life, with
We must imagine new ways of gather to share ideas and offer their own
focus on Livable Cities, Sustainable
managing and planning our territory, insights and unique experiences to showcase
Urbanization, Protection and Utilization
in ways that focus on quality, equity and promote these best practices? A dynamic
and democracy. of Historic Heritages, and Technological
meeting point for different sectors of society and
Innovation in the Built Environment as the
an important platform for intercultural dialogue
mainstreams of urban best practices.
and cooperation, Expos are the ideal setting for
The city is the place of decision-making which is closest to the concerns and Participating cases in the UBPA should be
the needs of the citizens, and it is also an environment for mobilization and celebrating existing best practices and inspiring
widely acknowledged by the international
cooperation. new ones.
communities for their value in innovation and replication.
We need to encourage the emergence of a new art of city, new art of living. This is why the BIE is proud to present to you
The urban transformation must facilitate and encourage a common living, and The organizer of Expo 2010 kindly invites cities around the world to submit candidate cases of urban best practices. The International
this issue of Progression, which is dedicated to
allow the development of local know-how, of new types of jobs, and of a Selection Committee will evaluate submissions and select 30-50 participating cases.
the numerous examples of best practices from
shared culture which is accessible to all.
around the world, which are amongst the most The Urban Best Practices Area in Expo 2010 will provide a unique platform for urban governments, civil societies and enterprises to
Only with these orientations sustainable development has any meaning. The innovative elements of upcoming World and exchange and share ideas and experiences in urban governance, policy, planning and development, resulting in long-lasting influence
political engagement to develop eco-neighbourhoods, reinforced by the city of
lnternational Expos. on visions of sustainable development of cities around the world.
Lille, is built on these different demands and experiences.
Professeur TANG Zilai
Danielle Poliautre Vicente Gonzlez Loscertales Chief Planner, Urban Best Practices Area
Deputy Mayor for the Quality of Life and Sustainable Development Secretary General of the BIE Expo 2010, Shanghai
City of Lille