Expo, ville, architecture. Lisbonne et l’héritage de l’Expo’98

This paper explores the relationship between the great exhibitions and the transformation mechanisms of modern cities. Exhibition projects currently being developed appear to be little more than a pretext for activating transformations in a relatively short timeframe and boosting the real estate value of neglected sites, at the same time pointing to new areas for urban growth and encouraging the modernisation of infrastructures and facilities in the host cities. The analysis of the relationship between event and urban renovation, developed here through the example of the Lisbon Expo’98, also enables us, on the one hand, to explore the concept of an ongoing transformation strategy being established for the city and, on the other, the idea of events-based architecture as a key element in characterising its image. Within this framework, we believe it useful to draw up an account highlighting the challenges involved in such events-based operations.