APCOM

During the long campaign, Milano has never hidden its 'green' ambitions. The slogan chosen, 'Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life', aimed to promote, since the beginning, the city's priorities. Then, the 1,200-page dossier used to introduce the candidature to the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions described in detail the single elements that could improve and exalt the relationship between the metropolis and the environment.

Two 12.40 miles-long itineraries, the 'Via d'acqua' (Water road) and the 'Via di terra' (Land road), will connect the Expo's pavilions to the city centre. The former will use the Navigli (the legendary canals which flow through the town), while the latter will follow the winding historical paths of Milano. In addition, bicycle paths and walkways will rejoin the outskirts' parks.

The whole exhibition quarter (110 hectares) will be a 'low emission zone': it will have the lowest possible impact to the environment and to the energy demand. Cars won't be allowed inside, as only electric vehicles, hydrogen shuttles and bicycles will be welcomed. Cooling and heating will be guaranteed by using clean systems, as solar energy. A system which could be followed in the rest of Europe.

Moreover, the general Markets will host the 'City of Taste and Health', a place created to face, deepen and communicate scientific activities regarding food safety and quality, on the appropriate use of technologies and on healthy nutrition. Last but not least, the 'Borsa agroalimentare telematica mondiale' is also part of Milano's plans: it is a virtual commercial platform whose object is to bring the producers close to the market, reduce the costs of transaction and transport and open the markets to smaller subjects by reducing any speculative intermediations.