Dubai Expo City
What happens to Expo after Expo?
Credits @diviyakhanna
Expo 2020, the stunning World Expo that took place in Dubai from November 2021 to March 2022 (yes, the Covid pandemic forced organizers to postpone the mega event), was not as fleeting as others that preceded it.
From its inception, the project, under the banner Connecting Minds. Creating the Future, was conceived to stay and continue generating ideas, content, energy, and eventually become a city in itself, following the idea of a ‘15-minute city.’*
More than 24 million people from over 180 countries visited Expo during the six months of the event.
The Expo site (as large as 300 football fields) has now become Expo City, a place that, in addition to hosting companies related to ecology and new technologies, is both a real city with housing, restaurants, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, and the ideal place to partially relive the World Expo experience.
About 80% of the buildings have been preserved.
The iconic Al Wasl Dome: taking its name from the Arabic word meaning "connection," this unique architectural creation is the beating heart of the Expo. Its massive steel lattice dome, 67.5 meters high, houses the world's largest 360-degree projection surface.
The Vision: a unique experience that celebrates the insight, values, and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. Through interactive displays, immersive exhibits, and personal stories telling the evolution of Dubai, the Vision Pavilion narrates a tale of childhood wonder and how our environment and values can support our ambitions and shape our future.
Alif – Mobility Pavilion: designed by Norman Foster + Partners to evoke awe about the history of mobility, Alif takes visitors on a journey through space and time. From ancient discoveries of the Arab civilization to the pioneering Emirates Mars Mission, it explores how mobility has driven human progress throughout history and how artificial intelligence is set to transform the cities we live in and the way we interact.
Women Pavilion: a space dedicated to celebrating women and their central role in global progress. Designed by Italian architect Carla Ponzio, the pavilion reflects themes of innovation, empowerment, and inclusivity, using technology to tell the stories of women transforming the world. Its distinctive flower-shaped structure symbolizes female growth and resilience. The Women Pavilion became a key platform for raising awareness about gender equality and opportunities for women globally.
Terra – Sustainability Pavilion: an immersive journey through forest roots and ocean depths to explore the impact of human choices on the environment and learn skills to protect and preserve our planet for future generations. Terra is a LEED-certified building designed to be net-zero energy and water. The iconic architecture by Grimshaw Architects includes a 120-meter-wide canopy and 18 energy trees that help generate 4 GWh of alternative energy annually.
Surreal: a synchronized show of music, water, and fire. Each element is meticulously designed and choreographed in a spectacular collaboration between WET Design from Los Angeles (designers of the Burj Khalifa fountain) and Ramin Djawadi (award-winning composer of the *Game of Thrones* soundtrack).
Garden in the Sky: the best view of Expo from its rotating observation tower, which takes visitors 55 meters above the ground.
Connect Conference Center C3: once the Opportunities Pavilion, it has now been converted into a versatile venue for events, summits, and conferences. It was the focal point of COP28.
Dubai Exhibition Centre: Dubai's new exhibition center offers 45,000 sqm of event space, 14 multi-purpose exhibition halls, and is set to partially replace the World Trade Center in hosting the large fairs Dubai is known for.
New Developments:
Stories of Nations consists of 3 small museums that collect the legacy of the international participants of Expo 2020 Dubai. Each exhibit offers new layers of storytelling to showcase the history of the three districts (Mobility, Sustainability, and Opportunity) and the various ways in which participating countries contributed to the themes of opportunity, sustainability, and mobility. While many iconic objects have been returned to their respective countries, over 80 original pieces are on display, including sculptures, artifacts, musical instruments, memorabilia, and fabrics.
Expo 2020 Dubai Museum: an immersion into the history of Expo 2020 Dubai, from the UAE's first participation in a world exposition (Osaka 1970) to the organization of the Dubai event.
Useful Information:
Expo City can be visited free of charge at any time.
Some attractions are available for a fee, with individual tickets or the convenient daily pass that grants access to 8 venues for 125 AED (child) or 160 AED (adult).
The site is easily accessible by car or, more conveniently, by metro (Red Line). Inside the site, visitors can walk or use buggies (taxi buggies are available for individual transfers or bookable dedicated buggies). Additionally, there are 10 km of cycling paths, 5 km of jogging tracks, and 45,000 sqm of parks and gardens.
Unmissable Events:
Winter City: from December 6 to 31, 2024, enjoy the magic of Christmas with activities for the whole family. Starting from 40 AED per person.
Brunch City: every Saturday until May 31, 2025, from 1 PM to 8 PM, starting at 190 AED per person.
Starting in January, we will organize guided tours in Italian of the Expo site for those nostalgic about those wonderful and intense six months and curious about how the project is evolving, as well as for those who didn’t have the chance to visit the World Expo and want to learn more. The schedule for January's Special Itineraries will be available soon.
Article written by Luisa Mazza and Michela Spugnini.
*The concept of a "15-minute city" is an urban model aimed at creating environments where all daily services and needs are accessible on foot or by bicycle within a 15-minute radius from one's home. The idea is to reduce dependence on cars, improve the quality of life, and promote sustainability by facilitating access to schools, shops, offices, green spaces, and healthcare facilities. This model encourages the creation of mixed-use neighborhoods, with a variety of residential, commercial, and recreational functions to foster social interaction and the local economy. Urbanistically, it involves planning that favors sustainable density, active mobility, and energy efficiency, reducing pollution and enhancing cities' resilience to climate change. Essentially, the "15-minute city" promotes a return to a more human and interconnected way of life, with a positive impact on health and collective well-being. (thanks to Chat GPT)
Credits @ahmedmshabana