主题馆位于浦东世博园区B区内，占地面积约11.5公顷，总建筑面积达14.3万平方米。主题馆是演绎上海世博会“城市，让生活更美好”主题的核心场馆。世博会期间，三个主题展馆“城市人馆”、“城市生命馆”、“地球馆”将着重反映在当今世界快速城市化和城市人口加速增长的背景下，地球、城市、人三个有机系统之间的关联和互动，揭示创造更美好的城市、更美好的生活的关键所在。三个展馆预计日均共接待参观者约12万人次。

据介绍，世博会主题馆是由我国自行设计和建造的具有完全自主知识产权的国际一流标准场馆，建设主题馆所使用的建筑材料和设备的国产化率达95%以上。“主题馆在设计建设中创造了三项世界‘之最’：2.8兆瓦太阳能屋面世界最大、5000平方米生态绿墙世界最大、西展厅双向大跨度亚洲最大。”上海世博集团董事长戴柳介绍说。

Construction of the Theme Pavilion was completed in 688 days.

Design groups from China, the Netherlands and Germany will begin the interior work soon.

Officials said the pavilion will start test operations on January 1.

The Theme Pavilion allows the host country to provide an explanation of the event's major theme. Shanghai Expo has chosen the theme "Better City, Better Life."

Covering an area of 11.5 hectares, the pavilion will have exhibitions about the relationship between humans and cities and the entire planet.

The pavilion will include five sub-pavilions - "Urban Dwellers," "Urban Beings," "Urban Planets," "Urban Footprints" and "Urban Dreams." The sub-pavilions will also be used to explain the "Better City, Better Life" theme.

Officials said the Theme Pavilion will turn into a world-class exhibition space after the Expo.