“Ladies and gentlemen, we are not closing down, rather powering forward,” said Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General Expo 2020 Dubai – during her final speech at the 170th Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) General Assembly in June.
The minister was referring to the vast world expo site in the south of Dubai – where a new futuristic city, Expo City Dubai is about to open in October.
Expo City Dubai’s official opening date:
The official opening is slated on October 1, but two pavilions – Mobility and Sustainability pavilions – will start accepting visitors from September 1.
Expo City Dubai’s ticket price:
Similar to the Expo 2020 Dubai event, the site is accessible through the Dubai Metro, but parking setup could change for those visiting through private cars. More details will be announced soon, according to officials.
Unlike during the six-month event, Expo City Dubai will not have an entrance fee, but individual attractions within will have their own ticketing system.
Tickets to enter the pavilions are priced at AED50 per person. A new attraction, called Garden in the Sky, will also open on September 1, with tickets costing AED30 per person.
Officials are preparing to announce details of an “attraction pass,” allowing visitors to access a variety of destinations without buying individual tickets.
The future-proof district renamed as Expo City Dubai:
Mega events, such as world expos, have always been criticised for a lack of legacy planning, with governments literally going bankrupt and ending up wasting huge swathes of land post-event.
Dubai, which hosted the world expo from October 2021 to March 2022, was quick to respond to these inevitable concerns – announcing from the outset an ambitious legacy plan that will transform the event venue into a mix-used future-proof district.
Although plans have changed from the initial legacy announcements, much of the initial strategy remained – Expo 2020 Dubai will soon become a new city, with retail offerings, office spaces, and entertainment venues, ultimately renamed as Expo City Dubai.
As part of Expo City Dubai’s ‘clean and green’ initiative, cars will not be allowed across the site, and “soft mobility” options will be provided, including the use of buggies, scooters, and bicycles.
The city will also not allow single-use plastic within its premises.
The buildings will follow international standards of sustainability to reduce water and energy consumption.
Businesses who want to set up within the new city will also enjoy benefits of a free zone ecosystem. Major firms have already expressed desire to set up shop at the site, including DP World and Siemens.
Other prospective tenants can visit the city’s website to learn more about applying for a space at Expo City Dubai, where they are given access to a fully 5G-enabled environment, with officials saying it will be the biggest city of such kind in the world.
Here’s everything you need to know about Expo City Dubai:
- 80 percent of Expo-built infrastructure to be retained for Expo City Dubai
- Expo City Dubai: Which pavilions will remain? What firms will be hosted?
- Reem Al Hashimy to continue work as CEO of Expo City Dubai
- Expo City Dubai to host DP World, Siemens, Terminus Group as anchor tenants in new freezone
- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed picks Expo City Dubai as venue for 2023 COP28 summit
- Expo City Dubai boosts real estate demand in the area
80 percent of Expo-built infrastructure to be retained for Expo City Dubai
Officials have recently confirmed that the site’s flagship pavilions, as well as some of its entertainment and technology offerings will still be at the new city. These include the Al Wasl Plaza, the Garden in the Sky observation tower and the Surreal water feature.
Alif, the site’s mobility pavilion and Terra, its sustainability pavilion will live on as “interactive educational experiences.”
Later this year, the opportunity pavilion will become the Expo 2020 Dubai Museum – a new attraction that will “highlight the history and impact of World Expos and celebrate the success of the six-month event.”
Other existing infrastructure that will stay include the falcon-inspired UAE pavilion, Saudi Arabia’s award-winning pavilion, the woman’s pavilion, and the vision pavilion.
Negotiations are also ongoing for some country pavilions to continue operating in the new city – including reworked versions from Luxembourg, Australia, Pakistan, India, Morocco and Egypt.
Dubai Exhibition Centre, the site’s main conference destination, will also remain.
Expo City Dubai: Which pavilions will remain? What firms will be hosted?
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled the legacy plan of Expo 2020 Dubai: Expo City Dubai in June – which will be a smart and futuristic destination for business and innovation, driven by sustainability, innovation, education, and entertainment.
Set to open in October 2022, Expo City Dubai – which is part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan – will build on the momentum and resounding success of the six-month World Expo to create a car-free, environmentally-friendly, tech-enabled city of the future.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “After the historical success of Expo 2020 Dubai, which was visited by more than 24 million visitors, and which left an indelible mark in the 170-year history of World Expositions, today, we announce the transformation of the exhibition site into Expo City Dubai, a city that represents the most beautiful ambitions of Dubai.
“Expo City Dubai will be an environmentally-friendly city, one friendly to families, to the economy, and to future generations. A city connected to a port and two airports, and also to beautiful memories in the hearts and minds of millions of people.”
A sustainable home for business headquarters, startups, and SMEs –
Offering a wealth of opportunities for businesses that meet its sustainable targets, Expo City Dubai is already attracting interest from a large number of commercial tenants.
It will soon become the new headquarters of DP World, Siemens, and Terminus Group, as well as startups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Expo City Dubai will be free of single-use plastic and retain 80 percent of the infrastructure and buildings that have been constructed, including 123 LEED-certified buildings, epitomising the highest levels of sustainable design, construction and operations.
It will also be the first WELL-certified community in the region, demonstrating the built environment’s positive impact on health and wellness.
Which pavilions and attractions will remain open at Expo City Dubai?
Opening 1 October 2022, Expo City Dubai will feature a number of Expo 2020 Dubai’s flagship pavilions, entertainment and technology offerings, while also carrying forward the event’s magic, energy and excitement.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added: “This is a city in which the magic of Expo will live on: Al Wasl will continue to shine, the waterfall will continue to delight, and the Alif and Terra pavilions will continue to fascinate visitors of all ages.”
“This new city will be home to an extraordinary new museum, a world-class exhibition centre, and the headquarters of cutting edge and fast-growing companies. It will continue to host the pavilions of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, and others.
The Dubai Ruler added: “It will be a city that embodies the dreams of every city, and one which continues to bring joy to our children, our families, and all those we love.”
With an array of diverse attractions, the comprehensive city will feature offices, leisure facilities, food and entertainment venues, sports facilities and a mall.
What to expect at the transformed Expo City Dubai?
Expo City Dubai will house the world-class Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), a sought-after venue that hosted a range of global summits, conferences, and concerts. DEC will continue to host a range of conferences, events and activations.
Later this year, the Opportunity Pavilion will become the Expo 2020 Dubai Museum – a new addition highlighting the history and impact of World Expos and celebrating the success of the six-month event.
Other attractions set to stay include the Woman’s Pavilion, which features female change-makers across the world, and the Vision Pavilion, honouring the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Visitors will also be able to explore the falcon-inspired UAE Pavilion and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion.
Details of several other country pavilions – including reworked versions of Luxembourg, Australia, Pakistan, India, Morocco and Egypt will be announced in the coming months.
Reem Al Hashimy to continue work as CEO of Expo City Dubai
Emirati politician Reem Al Hashimy, the face of the Expo 2020 Dubai that closed down early this year, will continue her work as chief executive officer of the new Dubai city.
Al Hashimy, who also serves as the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, led the country’s bid to host the world expo, and eventually became the managing director of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau.
Earlier this year, the expo organisers unveiled some details of its plans to turn the vast site in south Dubai into the emirate’s newest business district.
Emirati Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Friday appointed Al Hashemy to the role.
He also appointed Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum as chairman of the new Expo City Dubai Authority.
Expo City Dubai to host DP World, Siemens, Terminus Group as anchor tenants in new freezone
Key firms including DP World, Siemens, and Terminus Group are confirmed to be the first ‘anchor tenants’ in Expo City Dubai, a new freezone destination that utilises the vast site of the world expo event that ended in March.
Both firms were major partners of the six-month Expo event – and senior official Ahmed Al Khatib confirmed the two companies are already fitting out their spaces in the city that is set to open in September this year.
The city, which will retain 80 percent of its structure, will also be converted to a freezone site, where businesses will be able to enjoy modern infrastructure, “including access to a 5G-enabled network,” Al Khatib, the chief development and delivery officer of Expo 2020 Dubai said.
The plan was revealed at a press briefing in Dubai Exhibition Centre, one of Expo’s legacy buildings in June, where senior officials of Expo 2020 Dubai discussed some details of its plans to repurpose the destination – “welcome to the next chapter,” flashed on screen.
According to Al Khatib, other businesses have already expressed their interest of setting up in Dubai’s newest freezone, adding they have a “careful selection” process to ensure future tenants are aligned with the values of the city.
“We are encouraging tenants focused on innovation, technology, education, and healthcare,” the Expo official said.
The Expo officials said some country pavilions will stay at the site, including those of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Morocco, Luxembourg, and Australia.
Further details on the new content of the destinations will be revealed closer to the reopening in September, they said. There will be no entrance fees to the city itself, but the officials said some of the individual destinations will not be free of charge.
Major Expo buildings including the Al Wasl Plaza, the Garden in the Sky observation tower, and the waterfall feature will remain – with the iconic dome set to host cultural and entertainment events in the future.
The officials highlighted the Expo’s focus on sustainability and innovation, which they said will guide the urban planning of the city – as it offers office spaces, food and entertainment venues, exercise grounds, and a new mall.
One of its thematic pavilions, the Opportunity pavilion, will be transformed into a museum that will allow visitors to “relive the Expo 2020 Dubai experience” and be able to access information on the years-long preparation for the event.
In its bid to become one of the most sustainable urban areas in the world, the officials confirmed no cars will be allowed across the site.
Instead, “tenants will be able to take advantage of soft mobility,” which Al Khatib said is an ongoing conversation to plan how people will move within the city. Soft mobility could mean the use of buggies, scooters, and bicycles, he explained.
Much emphasis has been given on utilising green technology to run the city. According to the officials, the site is already home to more than 120 Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certified buildings, which is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.
The city will also retain its installation of Siemen’s MindSphere, the tech giant’s platform that uses smart metering and sensors to monitor energy consumption and efficiency to power, light, water, and climate conditioning systems.
The site is also reimagining its parking options – with the massive parking spaces to be used for off-plan projects for the next phase of the grand transition. There will be new parking spaces closer to the actual site, the officials said.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed picks Expo City Dubai as venue for 2023 COP28 summit
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has picked Expo City Dubai as the host venue for the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), which will be held in November 2023.
The directive underlines the venue’s unique proposition as a state-of-the-art destination, which already successfully hosted the world for the six-month Expo 2020 Dubai event.
Both Expo 2020 and COP28 share similar objectives: achieving sustainability and promoting international action as essential steps towards facing global challenges.
COP28 focuses on a number of key pillars, including:
- the implementation of climate commitments and pledges;
- inclusion;
- working together to take concrete action,
- identifying solutions that contribute to overcoming challenges, and
- seizing opportunities to ensure a sustainable future for present and future generations
The selection of Expo City Dubai as a venue for COP28 builds on the Expo 2020 legacy and message of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, and affirms commitment to the themes of sustainability, opportunity, and mobility.
It also offers the UAE the opportunity to showcase its advanced and sustainable infrastructure, in line with the nation’s vision for COP28, the state-run news agency, Wam, reported.
The conference is expected to host more than 45,000 participants per day, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academicians, experts, and representatives of civil society organisations.
The new city, announced earlier this week by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, will be a global hub for innovation and creativity.
The UAE is the permanent host country for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the first country in the region to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, and the first in the region to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions.
In addition, the UAE has also established itself as a world-class destination for hosting high-level international events focusing on climate action and sustainable development.
Over the past 15 years, the UAE has emerged as a regional leader in renewable and clean energy investments, both domestically and internationally.
It invested $50 billion in clean energy and has recently announced its plans to invest more than $50 billion over the next decade in additional projects, including hydrogen and ammonia.
The UAE operates three of the world’s largest and lowest-cost solar plants and has invested in renewable energy projects in 70 countries.
These investments include more than $1 billion in grants and loans to 27 island countries that are resource-stressed and particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The UAE leverages effective and innovative climate action as a key driver to building a new, low-emissions economic growth model, underpinned by sustainability, and one that will create meaningful employment opportunities in new sectors thereby driving the ambitions of the UAE, the region, and the world.
COP28 represents a moment of vital significance as the world seeks to maximise progress since the Paris Agreement.
The conference will witness a critical stocktaking moment for climate action under the Paris Agreement, in addition to defining future Nationally Determined Contributions.
With Egypt hosting COP27 in November 2022, the UAE is committed to working closely with the host government to accelerate global progress in climate action and adapting to the repercussions of climate change.
Expo City Dubai boosts real estate demand in the area
Real estate developer Dubai South Properties has announced a massive residential community development along Expo Road.
Called “South Bay,” the new community will have 800 villas and townhouses, as well as more than 200 waterfront mansions, the company said in a statement.
“With the Expo site now transforming into Expo City Dubai by October and based on the huge demand for premium properties in the area, this project will be an ideal option for those seeking quality living with world-class amenities at competitive prices,” a spokesman from the Dubai developer said.
The community takes advantage of the Dubai government’s ambition for the massive world expo site – which is set to become the emirate’s newest business district called the Expo City Dubai. It will open by October this year.
The new development will feature a 1-kilometre crystal lagoon, and more than 3-kilometres of a waterfront promenade, according to the developer. There will be a mix of three-, four-, and five-bedroom townhouses and semi-detached villas.
The waterfront mansions will feature five-, six-, and seven-bedroom standalone villas with a built-up area of up to 13,000 square feet.
Sales will begin in October, the developer said, but interested investors can already register their interest.
The new development happens on the back of positive predictions about the UAE’s wider real estate market, which has been recovering from the blows of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Demand for properties have reportedly increased in recent months, especially as the government rolls out progressive visa regulations that would allow foreign investors to obtain long-term residency in the UAE.
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