Cities is formed by the assembly of human beings and then evolved into an organized system, in which people are the most active and creative cells. People's life and development of the cities are closely related. With the rapid process of urbanization, the interaction between cities and the biological circle as well as the resources on the earth have become more and more strong. The relationship among people, city and earth runs through the urbanization. The three will become an inseparable complex.

People are the cells as well as the spirit of cities. People give the cities their cultures, characters and uniqueness. With the urbanization, more are more people become urban dwellers. People's life is inevitably affected by the development of cities. Cities should create a good living and innovation environment for people.

The structure and network of different cities have common views as well as their uniqueness. To understand the system and development of cities and construct a sustainable, healthy city structure is the precondition of building a livable city. It relies on people's understanding of city's developing rules as well as the rational activities in daily life.

Human being, creator of good life, is the core to push the city development as well as the most creative part in the urbanization; hence, the designing of the mascot chose the Chinese character of people to be the main image. The blue color mascot represents the elements including earth, dream, sea, future, technology and manifests the theme of World Expo "Better City, Better Life."

The image of the mascot is simple, easy to remember and to communicate. Though it is a single mascot, with the different motions and costumes, it could also have various appearances.

Water is the source of life. The main character of the mascot is water. The blue color stated Chinese brand-new gesture to embrace the world.

Hai Bao embodies ideal of the coexistence of different cultures in cities; embodies the appreciation of economic development and environmental sustainable development; embodies the wish to remodel the city communities, embodies the anticipation of the well-off both urban cities and countrysides. Hai Bao is the whish to colorful life and the warm invitation to friends from all over the world to Shanghai.

城市由人类最初的聚居地演化而来，它不断地演进和成长为一个有机系统。人是这个有机系统中最具活力和最富有创新能力的细胞。人的生活与城市的形态和发展密切互动。随着城市化进程的加速，城市的有机系统与地球大生物圈和资源体系之间相互作用也日益深入，日益扩展。人、城市和地球三个有机系统环环相扣，这种关系贯穿了城市发展的历程，三者也将在未来日益融合成为一个不可分割的整体。

　　人是城市的细胞，又是城市的灵魂——人赋予城市文化、性格和创造力。随着城市化进程的加速，越来越多的人们成为“城市人”。城市人口与日俱增，也更具多样性。同时，城市之外的人们生活也不可避免的受到城市化进程的影响。城市需要为人类的生存质量创造条件，城市也应该成为人类创新和创造的温床。

　　不同城市的构造和内部网络既有共性，也有独特性。了解城市系统的运作和发展规律，建设健康、可持续的城市结构和网络，是城市是否宜居和具备长久活力的前提。这取决于人对城市系统特性和发展规律的了解，以及在日常生活、建设、开发和管理中的理性行为。

　　人始终是推进城市发展的核心，是城市化进程中最具创造性的主体。人既是美好生活的创造者，也是美好生活的体验者。上海世博会吉祥物的设计正是从主题演绎的角度出发，创造性地选用了汉字的“人”作为创意点。而吉祥物的蓝色则表现了地球、梦想、海洋、未来、科技等元素，符合上海世博会“城市，让生活更美好”的主题。

　　吉祥物整体形象结构简洁、信息单纯、便于记忆、宜于传播。虽然只有一个，但通过动作演绎、服装变化，可以千变万化，形态各异，展现多种风采。

　　“上善若水”，水是生命的源泉，吉祥物的主形态是水，他的颜色是海一样的蓝色，表明了中国融入世界、拥抱世界的崭新姿态。

海宝体现了“人”对城市多元文化融合的理想；体现了“人”对经济繁荣、环境可持续发展建设的赞颂；体现了“人”对城市科技创新、对发展的无限可能的期盼；也体现了“人”对城市社区重塑的心愿；他还体现着“人”心中城市与乡村共同繁荣的愿景。海宝是对五彩缤纷生活的向往，对五光十色的生命的祝福，也是中国上海对来自五湖四海朋友的热情邀约。