Do You Wear Climbing Pants

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center & Urban Best Practices, Day 4, 30 June 2010

Ni hao! From reliable source we know that prevail in Switzerland, the considerably high temperatures. Our 35 degrees Celsius here in China also joined by a perceived relative humidity of 99%. This results in various persons to greatly increased evapotranspiration. The visit of the museum Urban Planing Exhibition Center attracts not only in terms of content, but also by the ever-present in Shanghai Air-Conditioning. The preference for the Chinese model is shown in the museum, not least in the presented model of the city on a scale of 1:500 with an impressive total of 600m 2 , which by no means the whole city is ready. Although clearly illustrated, we missed more detailed information on urban planning in plain text.

Photo: Shanghai City Model

the afternoon we went again to the EXPO: In the center was a visit to the theme pavilions to Best Urban Practices . It recommended various cities exemplary urban development approaches to imitation. We explained in detail the case study Yves Bisang Better Water - Best Urban Life the cities of Zurich, Basel, Geneva and the concept of a 2000-watt society. After enriching discussion, he gave us tours of the exhibitions in Barcelona and Hangzhou. In the adjoining elevator pitch competition we measured our quick and concise presentation of an idea and put us against each other other best practices of various Urban Cities face. We found: thematic pavilions attract the masses confused less clear and some cities concrete best practices with Urban Marketing.

Photo: City Pavilion Zurich-Geneva-Basel

shine After dark, the pavilions in every possible color and the EXPO is reflected by another impressive site. As a promising strategy to overcome the sometimes absurdly long lines, raises the entry by VIP access out through temporary pretense of different nationalities and functions. The Chinese EXPO visitors attempt by the arguments of different arguments in the enjoyment These kinds of preferential entry to arrive. In addition, we are also impressed by what the visitors are also in the most hopeless situation patiently queue.

Photo: Chinese Pavilion

way: According to the statement of EXPO pavilions are among the most visited Japan, Oil, Saudi Arabia and of course China. The taxi ride over the Lupu Bridge, which spans the Expo site and the Huang Pu River, into the night Shanghai, rounds out the Expo visit and is a worthy end of our stay on this fascinating world exhibition. Xie xie EXPO! Zai Jian Shanghai!

Photo: Lupu Bridge in Shanghai

Jonas Gurtner, Elias Hodel

(Photos: Elias Hodel, Jonas Gurtner, Heike Mayer )

Men Flashing To Women

Shanghai Expo, Day 3, 29/06/2010

Today we started early in the day to be ready for the Shanghai EXPO 2010. At 8:15 am we walked to the Metro station and took the metro no. 7 to the exposition site. Daniel told us that every day almost half a million people, mostly Chinese, are visiting the exposition. The site is huge and almost every country in the world is trying to present itself in the best possible manner.

Foto: Swiss pavilion

Unfortunately, one of us (Mr. Rau) forgot his entrance ticket at home. He went back to the hostel and therefore could not join us for the guided tour in the Swiss pavilion. After some first impressions we met with Kevin Balzan who was waiting for us in the Swiss pavilion. In fluent Swiss St. Gall German he explained us the idea of the Swiss pavilion. 10 000 solar cells outside the building should show the Chinese how much energy could be taken from the sun. He also noted that Switzerland on a map looks like a pig in Chinese eyes. Mr. Balzan who works in the Swiss pavilion for several months explained that the main sponsors of the project were ABB, Swiss, Holcim, Swatch, Nestle, Ringier, Nuessli and Schindler. 15 Swiss citizens are working constantly in the pavilion to promote Switzerland to the Chinese public. The first room he showed us is called Face to face room where people can meet with famous or ordinary Swiss people. Micheline Calmy-Rey for example explained how the concept of Swiss neutrality works. Another elderly lady told people about the way Swiss people earn their money after their retirement. Another room in the Swiss pavilion is the IMAX room. People can see and take pictures of Switzerland , especially the mountain area. Unfortunately the main attraction of the Swiss pavilion, the chair lift, was not working because of a technical defect. Besides a Swiss restaurant there are not many more interesting things to see in the Swiss pavilion. The initiators of the project tried to describe Switzerland in another way than traditional ideas (chocolate, mountains, watches or cheese) but in our opinion the project did not totally fulfill this purpose.

After lunch we met at 2 p.m. in front of the Finnish Pavilion. Fortunately we could enter the pavilion by the VIP entrance and our guide was a typical Finnish sauna lady. She told us a lot about the pavilion, for example that after done its purpose for the exposition it will be sold and can be completely removed. The Finnish pavilion made us eager to know more about Finland and made us conscious about Finnish brands in the world economy. At 3 p.m. we visited the Belgian pavilion, again by the VIP easy access. It was not that impressive as the Finnish pavilion but we left it with the scent of chocolate in our nooses.

Foto: Different pavilions at the EXPO

Normally people from a country can enter their countries pavilion by the VIP entrance and so avoid waiting several hours in the waiting line. Afterwards our visit of the Belgian pavilion the group slit up and we went on discovery tour on our own. Some of us used different techniques to enter a countries pavilion without queuing. For example to present themselves as Portuguese with blond hair (Stefan), as Chinese teacher with a group of students (Christina), as German guys with a English friend (Michael, Bene, Lukas, English friend), corrupting French entrance security with French biscuits (Cyprien) or to accompany a Spaniard (Bene, Michael, Lukuas, English guy). The chinese pavilion was huge with all its internal regional pavilions and as attractive as the ambitions of China as the new global superpower.

Foto: Uighurian dinner

At 7 p.m. the group met again for diner. Daniel guided us to a Chinese Uighurian restaurant. The food was as spicy as the Uighurian dancer. Stefan was tested in his Uighurian dancing skill. He did well and was nearly contracted as professional dancer. Even though the atmosphere was great and the food was rich in spices. It has been a very intensive and exciting day. It will give us the right impulses for our second and last visit to the expo tomorrow.

Cyprien Hauser and Michael Regli

(Photos: Heike Mayer)

Eyebrow Wax Reactions

Shanghai, Day 2, 28.06.2010

On the second day of an exciting program was waiting for us: Elias Hodel and Jonas Gurtner considered an input unit to Pudong, we visited the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and then we could own the new district visit Pudong . The day ended with a walk on the busy shopping street Nanjing.

Input talk to Pudong

The Pudong is located on the eastern side of the Huangpu River. It now includes the skyline of Shanghai. But only about 20 years ago was started on the then rice and vegetable fields to build a very modern district. The idea was to market to foreign investment openable. The Pudong New Area (PNA) comprises approximately 200km2 and includes four special economic zones. For the allocation of debt in this quarter, two strategies are:

- "Nests to attract birds"

- "attract birds to build nests"

The skyline and over 2 million residents have shown that these strategies both in the past and in the presence have borne fruit.

Academy of Social Sciences (founded 1958)

After a welcome by Prof. Tu Qiyu his colleague Dr. Li Jian spoke to the development of Shanghai . Key figures for population and mixed on financial development, with old photos showed a good picture of the history of the metropolis of Shanghai. For example. He showed that the gross national product GNP rose from 31.2 million (1980) to 1,490 million in 2009. Shanghai has thus a 3.5 times greater than China GNP on average. Next, the speaker told us that the port was in the heart of Shanghai for the development of the city at any time of great importance.

Oriental Pearl Tower

The Pearl of the East is at an altitude of 468m to the highest television tower in the world. His fascinating construction different sized balls and steel tubes makes the tower a symbol of the city of Shanghai. With him was the Pudong skyline. On the two observation decks (about 265m above ground) you can enjoy a spectacular view of Shanghai. Time passes quickly and boredom arises.

Photo: The view from the Pearl Tower

the ground floor you have the opportunity to visit the museum on the history of Shanghai between 1860-1940 . The museum is very appealing and entertaining. The objects have a very great detail. One has to examine, for example, the trailing craft scenes.

Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Centre

with 421m height and 88 floors of the Jin Mao Tower is the second tallest building in Shanghai. The tower includes the number 8 in all possible forms. The 8 is regarded in Chinese culture as a lucky number. For example. It is octagonal, he was 88 floors and the inauguration on 8/28/1998. With the construction of the Shanghai World Financial Centre commenced in 1997, because of the Asian crisis had the building for five years suspended and was completed in 2007. 492m with the currently highest building in Shanghai. The square opening at the top has architectural reasons, but should be around originally. This would, however, too reminiscent of the Japanese national flag, which could not be. Currently, a third even higher buildings (> 600m) is planned.

Photo: Jinmao Tower and World Financial Center Tower

While walking through this area is missing but otherwise the usual crowds. This shows that the financial district of Pudong (still) can not compete with Wall Street because the neighborhood is lively enough.

Puxi

kept arriving in Puxi Anne Wolf a short presentation on China's sportswear manufacturer Li Ning and set forth the Vergeleich it to the big global brands Nike and Adidas. Among other things, Li Ning has set target to become by 2018 one of the five largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. Already in is in Portland (Oregon), a branch next to the HQs of the major brands. In the future they want to settle in the western market and conquer this. Li Ning has incredible annual growth rates and has already over 7,000 Outletstors. The logo of Li Ning is unmistakably inspired by Nike. The same goes for the sporting goods. These and tons of other products can be found on Nanjing Lu, the shopping district of Shanghai. There is a wild driver, it is loud and over again you have a different smell in the nose. Fascination and crowd before the big global brands of Western and Asian origin.

Photo: Lining store on the Nanjing Road shopping

Stefan Egger, Stefan Gygax

(Photos: Heike Mayer )

Replacement Handles For Magnalite Skillets

China trip 27 June to 9 July 2010

The group Economic Geography Department of Geography at the University of Bern is currently touring China, the land of the setting sun. In the period from 27 June to 11 July 2010 we visit the cities of Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Yiwu in the Yangtze River region. At this Site report, the 13 students from your experience.

Shanghai, Day 1, 27 6.2010
On the first day of excursions, city tour was scheduled.

People's Square and Park
The People's Square was already in pre-colonial times an important center. During the colonial period he was and used the environment for horse racing, which maintained primarily Western. Today it is the cultural and commercial center of Shanghai and the largest public square in the city.

Photo: People's Square in Shanghai

The place is very crowded and noisy. One may say that it is a main artery of the city. Locals and tourists mingle here and it comes in many cosmopolitan feel. It is very green and sprayed by the same stress and recovery. Then it was hijacked by the People's Garden to the Museum of Contemporary Art of a Garden with its many green into another world. You have to escape the possibility of the hustle and bustle of big city and soak up the rest. He is certainly at least once, repeated on occasion but also worth a visit. The Museum of Contemporary Art was once the clubhouse to the racetrack.

Xintiandi
The next stop at the Xintiandi district one. This is where old and new to each other obvious. Daniel Fäh put it like this: The older people come to experience the new and the boys come to explore the old. Xintiandi exudes much charm with its relatively low old but beautiful buildings. You sink in dreams over the old Shanghai, but by many Western brands (like Starbucks) constantly brought back to reality.

Photo: Starbucks in Xiantiandi

Flowers and Birds Market Insect
The Birds, Flowers and Insect Market is one of the last traditional Chinese markets. It is not for the faint of heart or sensitive stomachs. Also, the protection of animals were hardly enthusiastic. Still does the saying "different strokes for different folks."

Photo: Birds, Flowers and Insect Market

Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar
Behind the great north gate of Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar is a shopping World opened in the old traditional Chinese garb. Entertainment is taken care of and the flying not only by all the traders who jump eagerly to any Western-looking person. Diividiii (DVD) and Aifooon (Iphone) but shall smile to many.

Photo: Yuyuan Bazaar

After this tour of Shanghai, we were all having a royal feast CANTON eschen very spoiled in Chinese tradition. We sat in two groups at a round table and one person ordered various dishes. Usually, more and more food than people. These will be placed on a round, rotating disk in the middle of the table. Anyone can get hold of so the desired food. Traditionally, left behind as a sign of decency a little rest at every meal. We were then at least all of the brim, but very happy, judging by the faces. A digestive walk was needed and the federal government at night, a dream good experience.

Photo: The Bund at night

Stefan Egger, Stefan Gygax

(Photos: Elias Hodel, Heike Mayer)

What Wall Color Goes With Red

Capital City Studio: Regional trends in Switzerland, 14.-18. June 2010

"Is the capital of Switzerland Zurich, or is it Geneva "- This question is a set of non-Swiss, from time to time. The weak position Berns is noted not only abroad, but is currently in the country and particularly in the region of Bern is an issue of discussion. As part of the Capital City Studios, we have dealt specifically with the role of the capital Bern, and with all-Swiss development trends in urban and rural Regions.

The Capital City Studio is an ongoing event in the group of economic geography at GIUB and 21 master's students had the opportunity in the first implementation to be there. Under the direction of Professor Heike Mayer and Anne Wolf is a very diverse program was offered. We students were able to develop the knowledge and practical participatory expert lectures, field trips and a role-playing. During the whole week were the topics highlighted the various inputs from different perspectives. This has sparked many interesting discussions.

In the week we started with a dense program of presentations. Professor Emeritus Paul Messerli, who has been long deals with the capital region, we undertook a journey through the historical development of Bern. Then an article by Daniel Wachter followed by the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) on trends in spatial development policy. The afternoon was organized under the label of the New Regional Policy (NRP) to improve the new strategy at the site of the federal requirement for rural areas.

On Tuesday, we traveled from the capital city of Bern in the metropolitan Basel. There we were given insight into the development strategies for the metropolitan region of Basel and learned how to deal with the challenge of the tri-national cooperation. Basel's lighthouse, the strong representation of the Life Science Industry, we were then performed more accurately with an exclusive tour of the Novartis Campus in mind. After passing the entrance gates we found ourselves in a luxurious small town. In buildings designed by star architects, surrounded by impressive art and parks where it is diligently researched and developed. The glossy cover of the Novartis impressed and encouraged critical discussions among us students.

Photo: Introduction of Roland Zaugg to Basel-Nord.

Back in Bern, we focused on Wednesday in the capital region of Bern. The focus was on transport planning, based cluster Economic development and a lecture by Professor Heike Mayer to development parallels and differences between the two main cities of Bern and Washington DC.

On Thursday, we were able to escape the rainy weather on the northern Alps and visited the Regional Natural Park Pfyn-finger, where we were identified as the endogenous potential of rural areas can be used. Regional Nature Parks are no protected areas in the classical sense: In addition to the environmental goals is also the economic and social sustainability sought. By bike on the road we explored the natural and cultural landscape of this region. The athletic program was a successful compensation and gave us new energy for the final sprint.

Photo: Departure from Oberems, Regional Nature Park Pfyn-Finges .

The week was rounded off on Friday with an RPG in which the learned could be applied actively. In groups of two, we staggered into the various roles in the development process of the capital region of Switzerland participating stakeholders. Each stakeholder group presented a project concept that will strengthen the Bern region in its role as capital and promote their sustainable development.

Photo: Students assess the presented project concepts.

main findings this week related to the development of the capital region was that the presence of government and public administration share in value and the feature will return administrative city 'into a positive. Instead of competing with the three metropolitan areas of Zurich, Geneva and Basel to Berne to profile itself as a political center of the metropolitan Switzerland. Christoph brings Koellreuter Metro Basel is the point: "Bern is different but equal."

(source: minutes, Andrea Keller and Maria Paulsson, June 18, 2010)