Dubai unveils legacy plans for Expo 2020 site
Expo 2020 Dubai’s legacy development, District 2020 has been unveiled to the public.
The district will be an integral part of the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai from Q4 2021, and a long-term economic contributor for the UAE, creating jobs and attracting investment.
The complete project is being displayed at the Cityscape Global 2017, where visitors will be able tofind out about the diverse array of residential and work spaces, from ‘micro-studios’ to multi-building campuses and apartments to hotels.
The district will include 65,000 sqm of residential space and 135,000 sqm of commercial space, in additional to educational, cultural and entertainment facilities as well as a conference and exhibition centre.
Her Excellency, Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director-General of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “Back in 2013 when we won the bid to host this great event, we set ourselves two clear objectives in line with our leaders’ vision: to stage a World Expo that would amaze the world and build a lasting legacy with a global destination that offers a new alternative for urban living.”
District 2020 has been designed to be environmentally progressive and sustainable. Every building will meet the rigorous LEED Gold standards in sustainable construction.
It will be home to iconic structures such as Al Wasl Plaza, the Sustainability Pavilion, which will be a Children and Science Centre, and the falcon-shaped UAE Pavilion, designed by leading international architects.
Marjan Faraidooni, senior vice president of Legacy Impact and Development at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “District 2020 will be at the cutting edge of modern working and living – combining places to work, rest and explore to create an ecosystem that stimulates connections, inspires creation and drives innovation, creating value for all those who come here.
“It will also be among the best connected districts in the world - within an hour of the centres of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, next to what will be the world’s largest airport, the Jebel Ali Port, and with world-leading digital infrastructure including 5G.”
The conference and exhibition centre is being developed by Dubai World Trade Centre to build on Dubai’s standing as the region’s premier destination for major events, conferences and exhibitions.
Key features of the District 2020 are:Design: The district will foster a perfect work-life balance in an integrated and walkable community, connecting entertainment and lifestyle offerings, such as the Al Wasl Plaza and UAE National Pavilion, with flexible and modern office buildings.
The district will utilise the latest strategies, materials and innovations to maximise water efficiency and minimise energy use. All buildings will have at least LEED Gold Certification.
Business: District 2020 will be an innovation hub. It aims to attract investment and exceptional talent to an ecosystem designed to connect people, goods and ideas, and facilitate access to markets, knowledge and innovation. It will be a place for those who want to operate in a dynamic, collaborative environment, where companies in big data, the internet of things and augmented reality, can easily connect. It’s for the start-up, the SME and the multinational.
Community: District 2020 will be at the heart of Dubai South, an emerging master-planned city. The district includes 65,000 sqm of residential space, Al Wasl Plaza as the central gathering point, 10km of cycling track and 45,900 sqm of parkland – equivalent to six football pitches.
Technology: District 2020’s digital infrastructure will deploy a high speed, resilient network utilising the latest available technologies to provide high performance plus scalability, flexibility and security. It will boast one of the first 5G mobile networks in the world.
Education: District 2020 will also be home to world-class education, academic and research facilities, a Children and Science Centre, museums and galleries, to support business and empower the young.
Transport: The dedicated Route 2020 Dubai Metro line is being constructed and District 2020 will be one stop from Al Maktoum International Airport - set to become the largest airport in the world – and within an hour of two other international airports. It is also adjacent to four major highways in the UAE and close to Jebel Ali Port.
The World: The UAE stands at the crossroads of the world, geographically and culturally. Two-thirds of the global population are no more than eight hours’ flying time away. It is estimated that 20mn people will visit Dubai each year by 2020 and 25mn visits are expected at Expo 2020 Dubai between October 2020 and April 2021 – 70% of which will be from outside the host nation.
Quick Facts on Expo 2020 Over the course of six months from October 2020, through its theme ‘Connecting Minds; Creating the Future,’ the Expo aims to bring together hundreds of countries and millions of people.
Between its opening day on 20 October 2020, and its close on 10 April 2021, we expect Expo to be visited by many millions of people.
70% of all visitors are expected to come from outside the UAE - the largest proportion of international visitors in Expo history.
We aim to create and deliver an inclusive and global Expo with over 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions.
Expo 2020 also has an ambitious volunteer programme, which aims to include more than 30,000 volunteers from a wide range of ages, nationalities and cultures and backgrounds.
The Expo site covers a total of 4.38 sq km, including a 2 sq km gated area. It is located within the Dubai South District, adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport.
