界百位名人談世博：李嗣涔

城市在人類歷史的發(fā)展上，向來毀譽參半。人因為建立城市，而不再受制于自然，但同時也逐漸喪失了與自然的親近。因此，吊詭的結(jié)果是，人因為城市的擴張而建立的自主性，其實也逐日地淘空了人的自主性。在這樣一個矛盾的關(guān)系中，人如何將已走上不歸路的城市生活，化為兼顧發(fā)展與自然、科技與人文的動能中心，而不再扮演為人類虛榮而犧牲自然、其他人類、人的內(nèi)在等的頭號殺手角色，是我們這代人最重要的使命。

上海世博會以“城市，讓生活更美好”為主題，正呼應(yīng)了這個當代關(guān)懷，以更先進的科技，改善科技為人類帶來的弊端；以更進步的觀念，挽救以“進步”之名肆意發(fā)展所造成的殘局，以城市的再造，帶領(lǐng)人類重回自然的懷抱。這一切都非一蹴可幾，而須人類在大徹大悟之下，通力合作，長期耕耘。世博會正是難得的全球合作與全球教育的契機。

而上海能以這樣進步的主軸，主辦這樣有深遠意義的活動，也意味著上海不但勇于面對來自城市未來的挑戰(zhàn)，也勇于承擔起城市的全球性責任。相信，在上海世博會的帶領(lǐng)下，中國也能從一個物質(zhì)生產(chǎn)的沃土，逐漸成為進步觀念的樂園。

In human history, cities have drawn criticism as often as praise. Through the development of cities, mankind has freed itself from the restrictions of nature. At the same time, however, mankind has gradually lost its attachment to nature. It's ironic that the independence acquired from urban expansion has actually fettered our freedom. Facing this contradiction, we must therefore reorient urban life to achieve a balance between development and nature, between technology and humanity. We must cease allowing the vanity of urbanization to usurp nature, our fellow human beings and our core values. This is the paramount challenge of our generation.

The theme of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China–"Better City, Better Life"–exemplifies the mission we face. We must address the adverse effects of technology with better technology. We must save society by developing better concepts than those we call progress in the face of rampant development. We must re-establish harmonious ties with nature. None of these missions can be accomplished at one stroke. Instead, they require our acute awareness, our determined cooperation and our commitment to achieving success in our aims. The World Expo will duly provide us with a rare opportunity toward that goal.

As the host city for a milestone event with such an enlightening theme, Shanghai has shown its courage in addressing the challenges of future urban development and defining the global responsibilities of cities. It is my belief that through World Expo 2010, China will advance from the world factory of material production into an international cradle of civilization's promising future.