Hannover Messe 2011 (4 - 8 April) will feature a new display category focusing on innovations for urban infrastructure and cities: “Metropolitan Solutions”. “The sustained growth of cities all over the globe is placing increased pressure on the urban infrastructure. Numerous technologies already exist that can bring about significant improvements in the lives of city-dwellers”, says Dr. Wolfram von Fritsch, Chairman of the Board of Management at Deutsche Messe AG. “In its role as the world’s most important platform for industrial innovations and technologies, Hannover Messe 2011 will present relevant solutions within the framework of a new, dedicated display category.”

 

Climate change, dwindling natural resources, population growth and urbanisation are posing an increasing challenge to cities all over the world – above all, with regard to the energy, water, mobility and building infrastructure. According to the United Nations Organisation, six billion people – two thirds of the world population – will be living in cities by the year 2050. The so-called megacities in Asia (i.e. those with populations in excess of 10 million) will experience particularly strong growth. In China, for example, it is expected that at least 60% of the population will live in cities by the year 2030. In Europe as well, urban modernization and maintenance will play a crucially important role.

 

Metropolitan Solutions will be staged in Hall 8 at Hannover Messe 2011. The existing flagship fairs Industrial Automation, Energy, Wind, Power Plant Technology and MobiliTec already centre on innovations in the area of automation, energy and mobility. Metropolitan Solutions will blend in perfectly with this existing line-up. It will create an international platform where enterprises can demonstrate forward-looking models in the area of energy, water, mobility and building infrastructure. The exhibition will include various reference projects featuring (for example) smart power grids, large-scale charging networks, energy-efficient building concepts, and innovative methods for drinking-water production.

 

The exhibits will be augmented by a high-profile forum at which experts from all over the world will present reference projects and describe the interplay between various technologies. “Hannover Messe is the ideal forum for discussing the key future questions relating to urbanisation,” says Oliver Frese, the Senior Vice President responsible for Hannover Messe at Deutsche Messe AG. “Only a truly international event such as Hannover Messe can generate the necessary impetus for tackling the technological and social challenges confronting urban centres.” Alongside technological aspects, Metropolitan Solutions will also deal with the financing of infrastructure projects.

 

Hannover Messe stands out by virtue of its international content and diverse spectrum of industries. Every year visitors and more than 100 high-ranking delegations from the political and business communities come to Hannover in order to tune in to the latest trends and solutions.

 

From 4 to 8 April 2011 thirteen flagship fairs will present a complete cross-section of industrial technology – ranging from industrial automation, power transmission and component supply to energy and R&D. “Hannover Messe addresses the key issues confronting industry,” Frese emphasises. “And these issues are closely linked with the challenges facing the metropolitan regions – not least because more and more industrial production facilities are now located in urban areas.”

 

The leading showcase for industrial technology is staged annually in Hannover, Germany. The next Hannover Messe will be held from 4 to 8 April 2011, with France to be featured as its official Partner Country. 13 flagship fairs are taking place under the umbrella of HANNOVER MESSE 2011: Industrial Automation • Motion, Drive & Automation • Energy • Power Plant Technology • Wind • MobiliTec • Digital Factory • ComVac • Industrial Supply • CoilTechnica • SurfaceTechnology • MicroNanoTec • Research & Technology. In 2011 the spotlight will be on industrial automation, energy technology, power transmission, industrial subcontracting and services as well as cutting-edge technologies.