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EXPOSITION OF 1992

From Expo '92 to Cartuja '93

The Universal Exhibition of Seville of 1992 (Expo '92), sprung forth from an initiative of His Majesty the King Juan Carlos, who launched the idea during a historic speech given in Santo Domingo in 1976. His pledge was to hold a major Exposition in Spain, on the occasion of the V Century of the Discovery of America. The objective was to foster "dialogue amongst peoples and cultural exchange, as a means of understanding and solidarity". Seville with its Port, the Puerta de Indias, represented during two centuries Spain's greatest splendor was a huge space, in the past a place of prayer and refuge, strategically located between two arms of the River adjacent to the old town. This proved to be the perfect site.

The Expo proved to be a stimulus for the city, a decisive impulse of social and economic development, providing 21st C infrastructures for the region, aside from hosting this prestigious event. Expo '92 represented Spain's new democratic image to the world; modern and plural. The remodeling of the city included a new network of roads, roundabouts and avenues, some 70 km within the city alone, as well as six new bridges built over the Guadalquivir, all of them examples of the latest in engineering. The spectacular Santa Justa Train Station built for this occasion, housed the revolution of the Madrid - Seville AVE (high speed train), a pioneer project in Spain, linking the two capitals in just two and a half hours. This route freed up Torneo street (calle Torneo), situated in front of the Isla de la Cartuja (Island), from the railway, recuperating various kilometers now converted into a splendid promenade along the shores of the Guadalquivir. The San Pablo Airport at the same time quadrupled its capacity. Lastly, it is worth noting the effort made both by the local government as well as the private sector in creating many new quality hotels in the city, along with upgrading and the restoration of a large number of historical buildings, an effort which continues even today.

From April 20th until October 12th, Seville more than ever became a Universal City: 111 participating nations – the largest number in the history of World Fairs-, with representative present from the main International Organizations such as the United Nations, the International Olympic Committee, the European Union, etc., as well as the most important multinational companies, not to mention the assistance of all of Spain's Autonomous Regions. During the 176 days in which the event lasted, the public responded consistently with great enthusiasm. More than 41 million visits we registered, surpassing the organization's predictions: 15 million people attended the event first handed, of which 40% were foreign visitors. Recently recalled during the 10th anniversary of Expo '92, the Fair was indeed a huge success, a model in modernity and efficiency at all levels. After the Expo closed came the need to manage this huge monumental heritage effectively. In this respect it is worth mentioning the role of the AGESA (State Society of Asset Management), in the control of reassigning the ground's use, reutilization of assets and liquidation of surpluses of the event. The commitment of maintaining in time a motor for development as defined from its beginnings, has left the Island (Isla de la Cartuja) a place where art and leading technology remain indispuitably united.

Today, scenic and exceptional locations such as the Auditorio, the largest open air auditorium in Europe (seating 4000), or the Teatro Central (Theatre), unique in all of Spain, built to host the latest tendencies in staged event, are all being fully enjoyed. The Monasterio de Santa Maria de las Cuevas (Monestary), founded in 1400 and closely tied to the Columbus discoveries – Columbus himself chose this as a pantheon for his family-, since the 19th C became the renowned Fabrica de Ceramica (Ceramic Factory), founded by the Englishman, Pickman. During the Expo it was restored as the Royal Pavilion and today it is Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (Andalusian Center for Contemporary Art) and the Instituto Andaluz de Patrimonio Histórico (Andalusian Institute of Historic Heritage). the restored Pabellón de Hungría (Hungary). Another architectural delight is the Pabellón de Marruecos (Morocco), a perfect symbiosis of tradition and modernity. Today the site is the home of the Fundación de las Tres Culturas del Mediterráneo (Foundation of the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean: Christian, Hebrew and Muslim), it is an expression of the continuity of the spirit of union amongst peoples.

The opening in 1997 of Parque Temático Isla Mágica, a theme park situated on the Lago de España (Spanish Lake), was converted into a first class tourist destination. It has contributed to maintain tourist activity during the summer months on the island. Also located on the Expo '92 are the Pabellones de Andalucía (Andalusia Pavilions), an exceptional building of marble from Macael, stones from Granada and glazed ceramic; symbolizing"tradition and change", the Retevisión building, today headquarters of RTVA (Andalusian Radio & Television) and the Pabellón del COI (International Olympic Committee), site of Sevillian nightlife, where the famous "Antique" discotheque and exclusive restaurant, Bacho are located.

The city's Puerto Triana project shall soon be completed, incorporating the revival of the southern region of the Cartuja Island. This center represents Seville's architecture of the future and is designed to be a large commercial and leisure complex. Aside from the latest contributions of renowned architect, Ricadro Bofíll, once again we'll enjoy cultural sites as attractive as the Onmimax Space Cinema, with its spectactular 24 meter wide semi-spheric screen, or the Pabellón de la Navegación (Navegation Pavillion), a unique naval museum, and one of the most visited pavilions on the island. The Parque Científico y Tecnológico Cartuja '93 (Scientific and Technical Park), which sit on various original international pavilions, has proven to be a great success since opening, thanks to its urban character, located on the edge of historical Seville and perfectly connected to Airport, the AVE train, the Helipuerto (helicopter port), the River Port and major national highways.

The Junta de Andalucía (Regional Government) is the main administration involved in this project. Many other local administrations to some extent also take part, primarily the City Council, from its GMU headquarters (Office of Municipal Urbanism) which is located in the famous "Caracolas" building. They have demonstrated a special interest to integrate the Cartuja Island with the rest of the city.

The Tecnópolis is exclusively dedicated to I+D (investigation and development) activities; transfer and prospective technologies, training of top technological executives and technically advanced services, etc. Firms are dedicated to biotech and agro-food, applied engineering, health technology, telecommunications and computer technologies; taking advantage of the magnificent infrastructures that the center was originally prepared for. Tecnópolis generates more business than any other park of this nature in all of Spain. During 2002 the 232 existing firms generated 1 billion two-hundred and ten million euros of business, an increase of 72% with regards to the year 2000. The Park's growth has generated a second phase: Cartuja 2.

The University and the Investigation Centers play a major role in the renewed use of the Cartuja Island. For example, in the Pabellón Plaza de América, the largest building on the site (33.000 m2), home of some 16 "American" national pavillions during Expo ‘92, is located the Escuela Superior de Ingenieros Industriales (Industrial Engineering School), and in the future the Ingeniería Aeornáutica (Aeoronautical Engineering) and the school of Ciencias de la Information (Informational Science). There are three important laboratories on this site: the Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis (Biochemical and Photosynthesis); el Instituto de Ciencias de los Materiales (Material Sciences) y el Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas (Chemical Investigations), all of which fall under the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y de la Universidad de Sevilla (University of Seville's Superior Council on Scientific Investigation).

Finally, a special mention should be made to the important presence of the business world in the Pabellón Plaza de África, home of 15 African nations during the Expo. It was built by the CEA (Business Confederation of Andalusia), an organization which today has recovered the site as the headquarters of prestigious training courses.

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