An ecological planning approach for Shanghai Expo 2010 was constructed based on "overlay-maps" model, and the ecological elements and GIS visualization in Shanghai Expo 2010 area were investigated and analyzed from the aspects of human comfort degree, life health, and sustainable utilization of resources. This approach included the determination of objectives for ecological planning, the selection and in situ investigation of ecological elements, the construction of eco-database, and the integrative analysis of GIS visualization, being indispensable for the prior period research of ecological planning of Expo area. Based on the present situation of soil pollution in the Expo area, a tentative scheme of soil restoration and utilization was brought forward, with the concerns of green space demand and soil secondary pollution avoidance. To protect the wild life habitats in Expo area, a demarcation of conservation areas for plants and original landscape was made. A conception of using landscape elements to optimize air temperature, humidity, and ventilation in the process of urban design was proposed, aimed to promote the human comfort degree under tropical monsoon conditions.