The spectacular renovation of a chimney in Shanghai's
century-old power plant seems certain to make it one of the major
attractions of World Expo 2010.
The 165-meter chimney on the Puxi side of the Expo site along
the Huangpu River in the 110-year-old Nanshi Power Plant will be
transformed into a 201-meter "Expo Harmony Tower".
Tracks and cars similar to a roller-coaster will wrap around the
tower and take visitors to the top for a bird's-eye view of
Shanghai's impressive skyline and the 5.28-square-kilometer Expo
site. Fifty different cars will be able to circle the
15.6-meter-diameter tower at the same time, each holding up to six
passengers.
The cars will operate at the speed of a normal escalator and
take 28 minutes to travel up and then back down. The top of the
tower will be the highest point in the Expo site.
Each night the Harmony Tower will be illuminated by twinkling
lights that will resemble a white magnolia, Shanghai's city
flower.
Organizers say the tower will also feature prominently at night
during the opening ceremony.
The ferroconcrete chimney was constructed in 1985 and designed
to stand for at least 50 years so it will remain in place well
after the conclusion of Expo 2010.
Bai Wenhua, chairman of Shanghai World Expo Land Holding Co Ltd,
said the tower would comfortably carry the 50 cars and track as
they would actually be supported by separate brackets.
The Harmony Tower project is the brainchild of Tongji University
and is unprecedented in the world, according to construction
contractor, Zhejiang Juma Amusement Equipment Co Ltd. Construction
of the tower is expected to be completed by January 2010 and in
operation by April.
The old workshops in the power plant that closed last September
will also be revamped into one of the five Expo theme pavilions and
will host the "Exploration of Future Cities" exhibition.
The Nanshi plant is the oldest power plant in China and is
situated in Shanghai's earliest industrialized area.
Bai said the protection of the historical building was an
important aspect of Expo preparations and its renovation would
demonstrate the city's capabilities.
The workshops, with a floor area of 9,150 square meters, also
form part of the "Urban Best Practices Area" exhibition, which will
display innovative ways of how to make city life better.
The former high-pollution plant will become a venue employing
environmental protection technologies such as the use of
electricity generated by the tide, wind and sun, organizers
said.
A bridge that once transfered coal to the plant will be revamped
into a sightseeing road extending to the Huangpu River waterfront.
About 380,000 square meters of old constructions in the Expo site
will be preserved of which 250,000 square meters are in old
factories - the biggest-ever protection project in Expo
history.
Expo organizers plan to turn most of the workshops and
warehouses into exhibition halls or public activity centers.
After Expo the venues will become museums.
Old factories take on new lives
Jiangnan Shipyard
The 142-year-old Jiangnan Shipyard will be turned into a
performance center. The yards are about 10 meters below river level
and visitors will have to go downstairs to watch shows.
Shanghai Pudong Iron and Steel Company
Construction of the China Pavilion and theme pavilions has
started on the land that previously belonged to the 94-year-old
Shanghai Pudong Iron and Steel Company. The factory was moved to
the new site in Luojing, Baoshan District, last October.
Nanshi Water Plant
The northern section of the 105-year-old Nanshi Water Plant, on
the banks of the Huangpu River in the downtown Huangpu District, is
being upgraded and expanded.
The southern section will be demolished after the northern
section resumes production to make way for the construction of
Expo's corporate exhibition halls.
The two sections of the Nanshi plant were separate when they
opened in 1902. One was built by the French to supply the former
French Concession while the other was constructed by the Chinese.
The two merged in 1956.
Hualun Textile Printing and Dyeing Factory
The Expo Mansion where Expo organizers work used to be a textile
printing and dyeing factory that was originally built by French
businessmen.
(Shanghai Daily January 21, 2008)