The subsequent impact on urban environment of World EXPO: a case of Shanghai residents

Abstract

Choosing Shanghai residents as the research objects, we investigated 1213 residents on their perception of subsequent environmental impact of the World EXPO 2010 and preceded the data with factor analysis and cluster analysis. The factor analysis proves that the positive factor of the subsequent environmental impact of the World EXPO is reflected in enhancing the awareness of environmental protection of both residents and government. The negative factors lie in the traffic jams, overcrowding, and exacerbating pollution, all which disturb residents’ normal life. There is also more pressure on urban services and facilities. The cluster analysis manifests that while the surveyed residents have acknowledged the positive subsequent impact on urban environment brought by the World EXPO, they have a deep understanding of the negative impact. Therefore, strategic change management plays a central role in formulating the effective public policy which publicises and improves the impacts in a targeted way.