District 2020, the legacy development of the Expo 2020 Dubai site, will open beginning fourth quarter 2021 and support the acceleration of the emirate’s development. It is intended as a long-term economic contributor for the UAE as a home for innovators, original thinkers and pioneers, creating jobs and attracting investment.
The district will include 65,000 square meters of residential space and 135,000 square meters of commercial space, in a location that will be home to leading innovation, educational, cultural and entertainment facilities as well as a conference and exhibition center.
It is being designed to facilitate modern ways of living, blending work and recreation in an ecosystem that fosters closer connections; physically and digitally.
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.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai) instructed us to build a site for a permanent legacy and therefore we had to think of ways to capitalise on what was being built for Expo as well as for post-Expo.
“We have created District 2020 to achieve that goal. It has been a key part of our planning from the very start, not just for our Legacy team but the entire Expo organisation.”
District 2020 has been designed to be environmentally progressive and sustainable, reflecting the changing demands of the modern world. Every building will meet or exceed 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 live on as a children’s museum and science center, and the falcon-shaped UAE Pavilion. They have been designed by some of the world’s most renowned architects.
Marjan Faraidooni, Senior Vice President of Legacy Impact and Development at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “District 2020 will continue to carry forward Expo 2020’s mission of connecting people; offering a new urban experience.
“It 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 centers 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 center is also being developed by Dubai World Trade Center to build on Dubai’s standing as the Middle East’s leading destination for major events, conferences and exhibitions. District 2020 will benefit from the thousands of connections being made as visitors from around the region and the world come together to share ideas and create opportunities.
One of the goals of District 2020 is to contribute to the drive towards a knowledge-based economy fueled by innovation. It will also feature a diverse array of residential and work spaces, from micro-studios; to multi-building campuses and apartments to hotels.
Expo 2020 Dubai will be a celebration through its theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, providing a platform to encourage creativity, innovation and collaboration. This is underpinned by Expo’s three pillars: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
District 2020 marks the continuation of the Expo journey in the following ways:
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 utilize the latest strategies, materials and innovations to maximize water efficiency and minimize energy use. All buildings will have at least LEED Gold Certification.
Business: District 2020 will be an innovation hub for those with the urge to connect with others and live at the center of human innovation. It will be a contributor for the UAE economy, attracting 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 square meters of residential space, Al Wasl Plaza as the central gathering point, 10 km of cycling track and 45,900 square meters of parkland; equivalent to six football pitches. It will be a home, workplace and retreat.
Technology: District 2020’s digital infrastructure will deploy a high speed, resilient network utilizing 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’s museum and science center, 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 largest marine terminal in the Middle East.
