The "Urban Best Practices Area" is located in the green part of the Expo Site master plan.

The World Expo Shanghai is selecting 30 international cities to exhibit their metropolitan innovations in its "Urban Best Practices Area" in 2010.

It is the first time in the 156-year World Expo history that cities will be exhibiting "real-world" objects.

The 15-hectare area, in the Puxi part of the expo site, is the brainchild of expo organizers.

It is expected to be "one of the most striking features" during the event, said Vicente Loscertales, secretary general of International Expositions Bureau.

Real scenes of cities around the world, rather than mini modules, will be displayed. They may be guidelines for improved future living conditions, expo officials said.

The area will showcase the latest urbanization trends focused on agreeable life styles, sustainable development, protection of historical architecture and environmental technology innovation.

The selection process of participating cities has already begun. Many cities and organizations have shown great interest in the idea.

As a member of the selection committee, Loscertales said the preliminary standard, agreed upon at the first committee meeting, will be released as soon as all members approve them next week.

The committee also discussed 75 examples of good practices that applicants could consider.

For instance, exhibitors could copy an underground park in Chongqing, in southeast China, or present a train carriage that displays the ecological evolution of a Brazilian city.

The selecting committee and expo organizers will select the 30 cities from different continents with diverse developing standards and cultures.

The selection process is expected to be completed before the end of 2008, Losertales said.