From Europe to North America, the Horticultural Expo was held in 1980 in Montreal, Canada from May 17 to Sep. 1, on an area of 40 hectares with the participation of 23 countries.
According to the Expos organizers at the time, the Expo raised awareness of environmental problems and highlighted the importance for humans to live in a natural and healthy setting. The Expo site was split between two venues; the 6,000 m2 indoor exhibition site located within the Olympic Velodrome, and the 40 hectares outdoor exhibition site on Notre Dame Island, an artificial island in the St. Lawrence River created for World Expo 1967.
The Floralies was the fourth major international event to be hosted on the island, following Expo 1967, the 1976 Olympic Games, and the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix.
The exhibition was divided into various sections presenting different aspects of horticulture, linked by a series of canals, seven bridges, rock gardens, and public squares.
In addition to the newly created gardens, seven pavilions from World Expo 1967 were renovated and used as exhibition spaces and lecture halls, while the international section displayed the horticultural specialties of countries from around the world.
Once again, the Horticultural Expo returned to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1982, this time from April 8 to Oct. 10, on an area of 50 hectares with the participation of 17 countries, where the exhibition attracted 4 million and 600 thousand visitors.
The Expo took place in the Gaasper Park, a previously undeveloped area surrounding the artificial Gaasperplas Lake, to the west of the river Gaasp. The site was chosen for its strategic location near two major motorways and adjacent to the terminus of one of Amsterdams new metro lines.
Novel planting techniques were used with the use of fast-growing species in the years leading to the opening of the Floriade. Specifically designed as a recreation area for the city, the landscaping of the site intended to create a gradual transition from the built-up area to a semi-natural area and then a fully natural zone with wild plants on grazing land.
Once again in Germany, Munich hosted the Horticultural Expo in 1983, from April 28 to Oct. 9, on an area of 72 hectares with the participation of 23 countries.
The Expo received a large number of visitors throughout its period, as the Expo received around 11,600,000 visitors.
The Expo site was developed along a 3.5 km-long unregulated mixed-use plain in the western part of the city, to be known as “West Park”. The development works involved moving 1.5 million cubic meters of soil and planting 6,000 large trees. The resulting park was a newly created “natural” environment with mostly indigenous species, including lime trees and elm trees in the central part, and oaks and beeches in the border areas.
With a total of 171 exhibits, the Expo featured 45 themed gardens and 23 national gardens. The latter in particular allowed visitors to discover a wide array of horticultural traditions from across the world.
In 1984, the English city of Liverpool hosted the first Horticultural Expo in Britain from May 2 to Oct. 14, on an area of 95 hectares with the participation of 29 countries.
The Expo which received around 3,350,000 visitors was opened by Queen Elizabeth II with the aim to revitalize the city of Liverpool and its tourism industry. Much of the site, which was situated in the old south docks area, was derelict in the years before the Expo and underwent an extensive renovation project in preparation for the event.
The 95-hectare apple-shaped site was divided into four principal areas. The first was the permanent features, which included the Festival Hall, where the indoor exhibitions were hosted as well as 15 varied horticultural shows throughout the duration of the Expo. This area also featured water features, the marine esplanade, as well as the Pathway of Honor, which celebrated various stars connected to Liverpool.
The second zone the national themes area was dedicated to the best of British horticulture. The international theme area was the third section, which displayed a variety of horticulture from around the world.
Twenty-nine countries participated in the event, of which 18 showcased their own outdoor gardens, presenting their own national horticultural traditions and culture. Most participating countries staged National Weeks, which proved highly popular with visitors.
The fourth section was the home and garden features, with many show homes alongside their gardens. In addition to the individual gardens, the exhibition also displayed a vast array of artwork.
Since closing, the site has changed significantly. Part of the site was developed into residential housing and the remained was used as an entertainment and leisure venue for several years. In 2009, it was announced that the site – known as the Festival Gardens – would undergo redevelopment, including the restoration of the Chinese and Japanese gardens, the lakes, pagodas, and the woodland sculpture trails. These restored features alongside various new elements were completed in 2012. (MORE)
Source: Qatar News Agency