Expo 98, Lisbon
Expo ’98 was a World Trade Fair hosted in Lisbon from May through to September in 1998, the project brought massive investment to Lisbon’s aging infrastructure and completely revitalised a poor district which has since transformed into one of the trendiest areas of the capital. It is general considered that Expo 98 was a great success, unlike many subsequent expo events, that provided needed infrastructure improvements to Lisbon and recognition to Portugal as an emerging industrial nation that may have helped the country join the single currency of Europe.
Though Expo 98 was only open for 4 months the planning and organisation stated almost a decade before the event. For a guide to Parque das Nações which Expo 98 was transformed into please click here. Expo 98 was planned to coincide with Portugal’s greatest seafaring expedition - Vasco da Gama's arrival in India in 1498.
This 500th anniversary of lead to the theme of the world’s oceans and water though out the design of the exhibit halls and venues. The two people placed in charge of the celebrations were António Mega Ferreira and Vasco Graça Moura. They in 1989 sort the backing of the government to fund the application to host the 98 Expo. Lisbon's major rival during the biding was Toronto but it was awarded to Lisbon in 1992.
The construction of the Park was controlled by the state company “Parque Expo” and was headed by the two commissioners; António Cardoso e Cunha (1992-1997) and later due to changes in government José Torres Campos (1997-1998). The aim of the commission was to ensure that there was no cost to the country. All the expenses in the construction were covered by the ticket sales and the revenue generated by renting of exhibit halls and venues to governments who wished to promote their country’s technologies. The commission delivered the entire project at minimal expenditure to the population of Portugal and unlike the next country wide project Euro 2004 did not saddle the country with unneeded debt.
Before Expo 98 Lisbon’s infrastructure was greatly improved to a level to reflect a global country, the work included; The Vasco da Gama Bridge which at 15km was one of Europe longest, the red metro line of 7 stations connecting the central lines to the east side of Lisbon and the major train/bus/metro station Gare do Oriente. Expo 98 passed without any major technical or political issues and during the period when the park was open, 22 May to 30 September 1998 over 11 million people visited the site to view the 155 countries and organizations that were represented. Ticket prices were $34 for a one day entrance and all of Lisbon’s residence were given a free one day pass.
The site was closed for 6 months after expo 98 and the name of the district was changed to Parque das Nações. All of the specially constructed buildings of Expo 98 were sold to developers before the Expo so that none of the exhibit halls would be left semi abandoned. Major developments which occurred straight after the Expo were the main entrance building was converted into the Vasco da Gamma Shopping Centre and the Utopia Pavilion was converted into Pavihao Atlantico Lisbon's indoor arena.
During the 10 years after Expo, Parque das Nações has transformed into one of the trendiest addresses in Lisbon, tall ultra modern apartment blocks were built and the park is now home to 150,000 of people. There is a buzz about the area, gone are the days when the park felt like an empty construction site with empty stalls and buildings, every rental is taken and the park is full of visitors. Parque das Nações is constantly growing, the Casino Lisboa has recently opened and there is construction work starting on one of the largest hotels in Lisbon, close to the Vasco da Gama Tower. Even with all of this growth it is still pleasant to promenade along the river under the cool of the trees puzzling at the modern art.
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Ultra modern architecture of Expo 98
Vasco da Gama Bridge Built for Expo 98
Lisbon's most expensive apartments styles as a classical ship