Ecological design strategies for urban spaces in European World Expos. From bioclimatic control to sustainability

Abstract

Since its inception, World Expositions have anticipated innovations and new design systems in relation to the issues that concern the society of every historical period. Producing an important contribution and impact on the design solutions of each era as pilot experiences and experimental systems. Our investigation focuses on the analysis of bioclimatic and ecological design strategies together with technological solutions for urban spaces in European World Expos during the 1990 to 2000 decade. From Seville World Expo in 1992 to Hannover World Expo in 2000. Thus, highlighting the evolution from a user comfort point of view in terms of bioclimatic control into an ecological sustainable approach, identifying the experiences of the Seville World Expo as a turning point in a global planning for the development of ecological oriented strategies in urban scale. The systems are exposed and analyzed within their historical and geographical context, showing their ability to adapt in urban or geographical situations of a similar nature in contemporary contexts and proposing possibilities for their use and future development. This decade of World Expos, highlight the development of experimental systems, bioclimatic experiences and ecological design in urban spaces that will have an impact for its adequacy and implementation in future solutions. We will witness a redefinition of the parameters and values that Expos represent with the arrival of the end of the century. Where the recovery and preservation of balance with the ecosystem will be part of the conceptual ideology of these international events.