Rotterdam’s pavilion is the first design to receive the official approval of the organization of the World Expo Shanghai 2010. Next year, Rotterdam will build a spectacular water pavilion at the World Expo, demonstrating the metropole’s ability to realize permanent water management security despite climate change. It is the port city’s intention to attract the attention of investors in the area of water technology and other cities that will be confronted with serious water management challenges in the next few decades.Almost ten metres tall, the Rotterdam pavilion designed for the World Expo Shanghai 2010 will showcase an artificial cloud with rain pouring down, a water plaza, a levee and various sphere-shaped, floating accommodations. Responsible for the spectacular design is the Willem de Kooning Academie of the Hogeschool Rotterdam, working on the instructions of Rotterdam Climate Proof (RCP). RCP is the climate adaptation programme of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative. The RCP objective is to ensure that Rotterdam will be 100% climate proof by 2025.
Rotterdam on the move
The Rotterdam design is the first to have received the approval of the World Expo organization: “it’s an excellent presentation of the exhibition theme”. On Tuesday, 7 April, a delegation from Rotterdam, headed by alderman Harbers, will officially be presented the Business Licence by the Chinese authorities. This official approval marks the green light for Rotterdam to set to work and start up the production of the pavilion and the formation of the organization around it. This production involves almost 1.3 million euros. The World Expo Shanghai 2010 is expected to attract approximately 70 million visitors.
Leadership in climate-related topics
Alderman Bolsius (responsible for finance, sports and external space) of Rotterdam is pleased with the approval of the Rotterdam design. ‘This underscores the fact that Rotterdam shows leadership where climate-related issues are concerned. With the Rotterdam Climate Initiative, we combine the objectives of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and making the city climate proof: 50% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2025 and 100% climate proof in the same year. This approach is unique in the world. In the Rotterdam pavilion at the World Expo, we will show that Rotterdam is an inspiring example to other delta cities all over the world.’
Safe, attractive and accessible
Being the lowest delta metropole in Europe, Rotterdam will definitely be exposed to the consequences of climate change in the next few decades. The city expects more precipitation, as well as higher river, groundwater and sea levels. A substantial set of measures will be taken to safeguard the safety, attractiveness and accessibility of the city. Plans for this purpose are currently being prepared and to some extent even implemented already. Rotterdam Climate Proof is responsible for the coordination of these activities. Various other metropoles, such as Shanghai, New Orleans and Jakarta, have expressed their interest in the Rotterdam approach.
About Rotterdam Climate Proof
Rotterdam Climate Proof is the climate adaptation programme of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative (RCI). The RCI aims to achieve 50% CO2 emission reduction and 100% climate-change resistance by 2025. The Rotterdam Climate Initiative is an initiative of the City of Rotterdam, the Port of Rotterdam, DCMR Environmental Protection Agency Rijnmond, and Deltalinqs, the umbrella organization for the industry in Rotterdam.