The cases for Urban Best Practices Area at Expo 2010 are unveiled. The large amounts of media coverage of these cases arouse people's great interest in the UBPA. We interview with some Shanghai citizens and let them tell you the best cases in their minds.

Mr. Chen Office Worker

The most expected livable house: Shanghai EcoHousing

It is never supposed to find such nice eco-houses in Shanghai. What attracts me most is the small villa, an energy-saving and environmentally friendly house, with striking hi-tech facilities inside. The lamp, TV, laundry machine, air conditioner, electric rice cooker, and even the window curtain will take care of your life as instructed. Wherever you are, log onto the specific computer command center, input password, and then you can arrange your house works as you like. It is so amazing. The access security system will check your palm print and password before your entry, something you only can find in Hollywood movies. It is a cool house, isn't it?

Ms. Zhang Civil Servant

The most desirable reality of life: From knowledge to innovation: Urban mobility solutions (Bremen)

Less vehicle trip will lead to a lower demand for parking spaces. The increase of public spaces will be helpful to a better life. Bremen's "car on call" is a wonderful program based on a marketization method instead of a sole constrain of traffic flow. Shanghai, a city suffering from the heavy traffic problems, will be expected to introduce such programs while developing a sustainable urban traffic strategy.

Mr. Wang Correspondent

The best case to experience: Protection and Utilization of Historical Heritages in Liverpool

I like the British Isles all the time for its long history and brilliant culture. The city of Liverpool has the largest historical harbor in the world. The historical sites such as the Albert Dock, the rope works and the St George's Hall are perfectly protected and preserved. Some of them are renovated into the commercial park, offshore history museum, and many other amenities. It is to be regretted that we cannot see the full-size mockups at Expo 2010 for spatial limitation on site. Therefore, I would like to visit the old harbor sometime in the future. Additionally, it is mentioned that the riverside architectural style along docks at north Liverpool had a great impact upon the design of buildings along the bund in Shanghai. It shall be very interesting to have a look and make a comparison between them.

Mr. Lu SOHO

The best case to be advocated: Sustainable City, Future City (Chicago)

Chicago's "green" city proposal well matches the Expo theme "Better City, Better Life". The case consists of comprehensive descriptions in seven aspects – water, refuse, food, energy, health, move, and commerce. Chicago encourages the utilization of green technologies in urban environment and preservation of natural resources, to save consumption of energy resources, to create more job opportunities and to improve public health and quality of life, under the guidance of government. It is a quite practical proposal. The sustainable urbanization in my opinion shall reflect the close coordination among life, work and recreation.

Another reason to choose Chicago is that I love basketball, Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls.

Ms. Zhu Office Worker

The most practical case in life: Smart Card, Smart City, Smart Life (Hong Kong)

I have been to Hong Kong and used the Octopus Card everywhere without limit. The card is accepted at virtually all public transports and large chain stores. It is also used for payment at many newly installed vending machines (such as telephone and photo-me booths). With the card, you can even buy the travel insurance at the KCR East Rail stations. According to my friends in Hong Kong, the Octopus Card is one of the most acknowledged electronic moneys in the world with the widest coverage in application.

With such a card in hand, we could enjoy a much more convenient life.

Mr. Zhang Retired Teacher

The best place for the elderly to live: Huaming Model Town (Tianjin)

The aged always gives priority to a livable community. Looking through these cases, I am very interested in the Huaming Model Town. It is built based on the original rural environment, with a good air quality, which incorporates the modern living elements such as city water supply, natural gas, information network, digital TV, medical service, public traffic, and security system throughout the community. With much leisure time now, I would like to pay an on-site visiting to the ideal town.