Expo 17
Encyclopedia
Expo 17 is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2005 to promote an international exposition, or world's fair, to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Canada
in 2017. In 2007, the organization publicly unveiled a 51-page proposal for a "hybrid" expo, named Expo 17, to be staged on the southwest shore and the two islands originally created for Expo 67, in the city of Montreal
, Quebec. In an unofficial capacity, the historic section of Old Montreal
was also included in the expo plan--as an entirely car-free "buffer" zone.
Perhaps most novel was the suggestion of a "hybrid" world's fair composed of a BIE-sanctioned "recognized" exposition, a horticultural exposition, and a housing ("Habitat 2017") exposition. This was apparently due to the fact that in 2017, only a very small "recognized" expo is permitted by the BIE
--the Paris based body which governs world's fairs. By holding three smaller expos simultaneously, a city could ostensibly stage a relatively sizeable exposition with a greater degree of flexibility, yet less cost (apparently), than a single larger ("universal") expo such as Expo 67. The proposal also states that the housing and horticultural aspects would be jointly financed through public-private partnerships. Lastly, the proposed housing expo, "Habitat 2017", in order to address the disappearance of young families from increasingly unaffordable urban centres (the "demographic time bomb"), borrows heavily from the original "Habitat 67" urban residential concept introduced by architect Moshe Safdie
for Expo 67
.
, mayor of Montreal. Soon thereafter, the proposal and the "Expo 17" web site were publicly unveiled. Though public reaction was generally positive, including outside of Quebec, the mayor's office rejected the idea, citing concern for basic infrastructure and Montreal's potholed streets as more pressing priorities. Expo 17 executive director Richard Barham publicly admitted that an official endorsement was not expected, and that the organization's goal would be to concentrate on grass-roots support before getting the mayor more directly involved. In the spring of 2009, however, the department of Canadian Heritage
, through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, requested a "letter of intent" from all cities within Canada interested in staging an expo in 2017. Cities had approximately six weeks to reply. Thereafter, in November the same year, interested cities would be required to submit a full bid proposal. Only Edmonton
and Calgary
(Alberta) replied in the affirmative. Montreal, despite last-minute talks with the Expo 17 organization, declined. Calgary, after a brief period, also withdrew its bid, making Edmonton the only city in Canada now allowed to submit an expo bid to the BIE in Paris.
-expoVOX) and plans on concentrating on various alternative expos/events throughout Canada. An eventual collaboration with Edmonton is not yet foreseen.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 2017. In 2007, the organization publicly unveiled a 51-page proposal for a "hybrid" expo, named Expo 17, to be staged on the southwest shore and the two islands originally created for Expo 67, in the city of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec. In an unofficial capacity, the historic section of Old Montreal
Old Montreal
Old Montreal is the oldest area in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, dating back to New France. Located in the borough of Ville-Marie, the area is bordered on the west by McGill St., on the north by Ruelle des Fortifications, on the east by Berri St. and on the south by the Saint Lawrence River...
was also included in the expo plan--as an entirely car-free "buffer" zone.
Proposal
The original "Expo 17" proposal attempted to analyze and address flagging interest and attendance experienced by the most recent world's fairs. Citing an expo's theme--or purpose--and its ability to portray, as well as resolve, modern humanity's most pressing concerns as paramount to success, the proposal recommended sweeping social and environmental initiatives. It also suggested the implementation of city- and province-wide energy efficiency programs to reduce the unusually high consumption of electricity in Quebec, thereafter selling the resulting surplus to help finance the exposition. Other financing suggestions included overhauling Montreal's taxation system to allow for the creation of positive financial incentives for citizens who strive to save energy, and increased costs for those who do not.Perhaps most novel was the suggestion of a "hybrid" world's fair composed of a BIE-sanctioned "recognized" exposition, a horticultural exposition, and a housing ("Habitat 2017") exposition. This was apparently due to the fact that in 2017, only a very small "recognized" expo is permitted by the BIE
Bureau of International Expositions
The International Exhibitions Bureau is an intergovernmental organization created to supervise international exhibitions falling under the jurisdiction of the Convention Relating to International Exhibitions....
--the Paris based body which governs world's fairs. By holding three smaller expos simultaneously, a city could ostensibly stage a relatively sizeable exposition with a greater degree of flexibility, yet less cost (apparently), than a single larger ("universal") expo such as Expo 67. The proposal also states that the housing and horticultural aspects would be jointly financed through public-private partnerships. Lastly, the proposed housing expo, "Habitat 2017", in order to address the disappearance of young families from increasingly unaffordable urban centres (the "demographic time bomb"), borrows heavily from the original "Habitat 67" urban residential concept introduced by architect Moshe Safdie
Moshe Safdie
Moshe Safdie, CC, FAIA is an architect, urban designer, educator, theorist, and author. Born in the city of Haifa, then Palestine and now Israel, he moved with his family to Montreal, Canada, when he was 15 years old.-Career:...
for Expo 67
Expo 67
The 1967 International and Universal Exposition or Expo 67, as it was commonly known, was the general exhibition, Category One World's Fair held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from April 27 to October 29, 1967. It is considered to be the most successful World's Fair of the 20th century, with the...
.
Reactions
On April 28th, 2007--the 40th anniversary of the opening of Expo 67, a detailed proposal was delivered to the office of Gérald TremblayGérald Tremblay
Gérald Tremblay is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving his third term as mayor of Montreal and as president of the Montreal Metropolitan Community...
, mayor of Montreal. Soon thereafter, the proposal and the "Expo 17" web site were publicly unveiled. Though public reaction was generally positive, including outside of Quebec, the mayor's office rejected the idea, citing concern for basic infrastructure and Montreal's potholed streets as more pressing priorities. Expo 17 executive director Richard Barham publicly admitted that an official endorsement was not expected, and that the organization's goal would be to concentrate on grass-roots support before getting the mayor more directly involved. In the spring of 2009, however, the department of Canadian Heritage
Department of Canadian Heritage
The Department of Canadian Heritage, or simply Canadian Heritage |department]] of the Government of Canada with responsibility for policies and programs regarding the arts, culture, media, communications networks, official languages , status of women, sports , and multiculturalism...
, through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, requested a "letter of intent" from all cities within Canada interested in staging an expo in 2017. Cities had approximately six weeks to reply. Thereafter, in November the same year, interested cities would be required to submit a full bid proposal. Only Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
and Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
(Alberta) replied in the affirmative. Montreal, despite last-minute talks with the Expo 17 organization, declined. Calgary, after a brief period, also withdrew its bid, making Edmonton the only city in Canada now allowed to submit an expo bid to the BIE in Paris.
Aftermath
The Expo 17 team has recently regrouped and launched a new web site (Expo 2017Expo 2017
Expo 2017 is the next scheduled International Exposition after Expo 2015 and will be the first of its type since Expo 2012. The expos in 2010, 2015, 2020 and every 5 years thereafter are considered "universal expos" by the Bureau of International Expositions and the 2017 event will be one of the...
-expoVOX) and plans on concentrating on various alternative expos/events throughout Canada. An eventual collaboration with Edmonton is not yet foreseen.