How many of you remember the aura and grandeur of the Dubai Expo 2020 site? A majority of visitors have dubbed it one of the best-planned global events and one of the most iconic architectural marvels for any event spot. However, before the memory starts phasing out, the majestic Expo 2020 site is planned to bring back to life – in a completely new manner.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has announced the inauguration of Expo City Dubai, on October 1, 2022. “After the historical success of Expo 2020 Dubai, visited by more than 24 million visitors & left a mark in the 170-year history of World Expositions. Today we announce the transformation of the exhibition site into Expo City Dubai, a new city that represents the ambitions of Dubai”, he mentioned it on his official Twitter account.
Expo City Dubai ready for a phased opening
Expo City Dubai (formerly known as District 2020) will open in phases. It will retain 80 per cent of the original infrastructure of the Expo 2020 Dubai, in order to take practical steps to convert it into a truly sustainable project. The development will be a smart city with a futuristic approach and an ideal destination for business and innovations driven by features like sustainability, innovation, education and entertainment.
What will be there?
According to Sconaid McGeachin, senior vice-president of communications Expo 2020 Dubai, “A few big pavilions such as Sustainability and Mobility will re-open in September to welcome students for guided tours – when schools will re-open in Dubai after summer vacations. A few other favourites will also be there including Al Wasl dome, Sky observation, the iconic waterfall and several other pavilions that will continue to fascinate to the visitors and future residents.
Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt and a few other pavilions will continue hosting the visitors. Besides that Expo City Dubai will be home to a new museum, a brand new exhibition centre, and the headquarters of several local and multi-national companies.
Other pavilions to stay include the Women’s Pavilion that features female change-makers across the world; the Vision Pavilion honouring the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Several other pavilions will be re-planned and announced in the months to come, according to a new version.
Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan
Another notable point is that Expo City Dubai is the legacy plan of Expo 2020 Dubai to convert this site into an inhabitable place for the UAE residents and visitors alike. It is also a part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to build upon and convey the vision of Dubai’s leadership and pursue a sustainable approach to establish a city of excellence. Based on the success of World Expo 2020, the Expo City Dubai will be an environment-friendly, tech-enabled project.
A sustainable approach
Expo 2020 site will be transformed into a modern, environment-friendly mixed-use development boasting family-friendly facilities, and significant amenities for the economy and for future generations.
Diverse attractions
The project will not just bring back Expo 2020 Dubai’s favourite pavilions but also carry forward the event’s energy, charm and magic. The city will feature offices, commercial entities, leisure facilities, entertainment venues, sports facilities and a shopping mall. It will also feature the world-class Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) – a venue to host a range of events such as conferences, events and summits.
The Opportunity Pavilion will also be converted into the Expo 2020 Dubai Museum with a focus on the history and impact of World Expo events and hold several events as well.
Other features
Expo City Dubai will offer a wealth of opportunities for businesses and organizations; thus it is already attracting several commercial tenants. The new headquarters of DP World, Siemens and several start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be the new commercial tenants in Expo City Dubai.
