In the midst of the turbulent 1960s, when the world was undergoing radical shifts in cultural values, Expo ’70 was conceived, planned, and executed in Osaka.

The master plan for the site was created by Kenzo Tange and Uzo Nishiyama. They were aware of the imminent transition from an industrial to an information society, and the emphasis changed from hardware exhibits to software-inspired environments. The question arose whether architecture can function as a communication media, or even if it should. In a few years, Osaka will host World Expo 2025. This issue looks back at selected articles originally published in ‘Shinkenchiku’ (May 1970) and in ‘JA’ (May/June English edition).

In the midst of the turbulent 1960s, when the world was undergoing radical shifts in cultural values, Expo ’70 was conceived, planned, and executed in Osaka.

The master plan for the site was created by Kenzo Tange and Uzo Nishiyama. They were aware of the imminent transition from an industrial to an information society, and the emphasis changed from hardware exhibits to software-inspired environments. The question arose whether architecture can function as a communication media, or even if it should. In a few years, Osaka will host World Expo 2025. This issue looks back at selected articles originally published in ‘Shinkenchiku’ (May 1970) and in ‘JA’ (May/June English edition).