Master plan for Dubai Expo 2020 on track

The next stage design and master planning for Dubai Expo 2020’s host venue, Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali - a 438-hectare site that includes the dedicated gated 150-hectare Dubai Expo 2020 area and an additional surrounding residential, hospitality and logistics zone, is progressing well.

The work is being undertaken with Dubai Expo 2020 by a consortium made up of HOK and Arup, which continue their association with the project from the successful bid phase.

"Expos have been home to some of the world’s most landmark structures, from the Crystal Palace in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Dubai is committed to building on this tradition and making the entire site an experiential environment that fully embodies the essence of our theme "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", said Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State, Managing Director of the Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Preparatory Committee and Director General of Dubai Expo 2020 Office.

The team of lead architects and urban planners, HOK, with infrastructure experts and engineering partners, Arup, were selected because of their successful involvement with the master plan during the bid phase and their detailed knowledge of the project, as well as relevant expertise on other mega events internationally.

"The master plan design and execution is driven by a clear vision for its legacy, integrating sustainable urban development with opportunities to foster economic and social development for the emirate, for the country and for our region," said Helal Almarri, Director-General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Preparatory Committee member.

The HOK-Arup consortium will support Dubai Expo 2020 in the development of strategic and operational components of the Expo master-plan including sustainability practices, development of building, pavilions, urban design and engineering guidelines, spatial planning, public realm and landscaping, graphics and way-finding signage, as well as overlay, event operations and facilities management.

Furthermore, they will assist in transportation and pedestrian modelling, capacity assessment for utilities, infrastructure, security, logistics and environmental design practices as well as detailed integration of the site into the wider Dubai infrastructure.

Aligned with the Smart City development priority outlined in the Dubai Vision 2020, mandated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Expo site is also being designed to serve as a prototype showcasing cutting edge ICT innovations that can deliver a unique educational and entertainment experience across the entire Expo site and beyond.

The contract tenure for the master planners will run until the completion of all requirements for the mandatory Registration Phase, due to be approved by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), the governing body of the World Expo, by November 2015.

Site readiness activity is currently underway on the Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali site with fully-fledged construction beginning after BIE approval is received.

At its peak, the Dubai Expo 2020 exhibition site at Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali is designed to accommodate up to 300,000 visitors, with an average week-day attendance expected to be 153,000.

Running from October 2020 through April 2021, the Expo will launch the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and serve as a springboard from which to inaugurate a progressive and sustainable vision for the coming decades.

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