Massive investment in infrastructural projects in the coming years are expected to again turn Shanghai into one of the largest construction sites in the world, like it was in the mid-1990s.

But what should not be like the 1990s is that more old houses and historical sites should be preserved instead of being demolished, so people coming to Shanghai in 2010 will get a sense of the city's rich history, not just a modern and futuristic un-Chinese city with dense highrises. Concrete jungles built in some local neighbourhoods in the past decade are definitely not what we want to present to the rest of the world.

Shanghai should be an environmentally friendly city with great mass transport systems, not cramming its streets with highly promoted and polluting family cars.

I fully agree with the idea that some parts of the Huangpu River bank, with cranes and workshops, should be preserved as a museum for our children.

Average Shanghainese, especially people who have to be relocated because of the Expo, should be able to afford their new apartments, when property prices are driven higher and higher.

Senior citizens in this ageing city should have a more colourful life. Shanghai residents should behave like citizens from a country with a long civilization. And local residents should have a bigger say in government decision making and in planning the city's future.

"Better City, Better Life" is definitely an excellent theme for Shanghai to pursue. The heightened international attention on Shanghai in the years leading to the Expo makes this a great time for Shanghai to tackle its problems.

ROUSSEAU CHEN

weihua_chen@yahoo.com

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