After the Second World War, Rotterdam invested all its energy into solving the housing shortage and into reconstructing its port. There was no money for large scale cultural facilities. That is why Rotterdam presented itself with large exhibitions and manifestations, combining culture and leisure. This brought about close cooperation between organisers, artists and architects. The aim of most manifestations was to present the city’s unique identity and to show what the city had achieved. Optimism and enthusiasm ruled. Rotterdam wanted to present itself to the world as a harbour city, a city of trade and commerce, a city of knowledge, as a cultural capital or as a city for sports; in short as a city with plenty to offer.