Despite uncertainties about the state of the economy, a number of developers in Shanghai continue to wax optimistic about the long-term, seeing Expo 2010 as a beacon that will keep local commerce alive and kicking. They're hedging their bets and hoping to snag properties at bargain rates. For example, Shanghai New Huangpu recently acquired the developing rights to a 8,910 sq. meter tract of land along the north Bund by buying a 55 percent stake in Shanghai Hongtai for RMB224 million. The Expo will see a high level of Grade A office development along the Huangpu River which New Huangpu is no doubt hoping will add to the plot's real estate value.

The Expo may also be the impetus for a few other infrastructure step-ups including 3TNET, a 100mbps fiber optic broadband network that will be delivering high-speed Internet the city's 18 districts by the end of the year. Officials say it will be 50-100 times faster than current Internet speeds. However, if Expo-spurred infrastructure upgrades and property values fall short of expectations, the event is guaranteed to bring Denmark's Little Mermaid to Chinese shores, if nothing else.