Expo City
by rayan on June 12, 2023In June 2022, it was announced that the Expo 2020 site would reopen in October as Expo City Dubai, an innovative and futuristic destination focused on business, innovation, sustainability, education, and entertainment. This car-free and environmentally friendly city is home to a new museum and a world-class exhibition center and serves as a sustainable hub for business headquarters, start-ups, and SMEs.
Expo City Dubai incorporates advanced technology and retains pioneering urban development initiatives, including the world’s largest installation of MindSphere Siemens, a cloud technology platform that monitors the energy consumption and efficiency of various systems such as power, lighting, water, and climate conditioning.
Several iconic pavilions from Expo 2020 have been preserved, such as the UAE Pavilion, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion, and the reworked pavilions of Luxembourg, Australia, Pakistan, India, Morocco, and Egypt. The city features attractions like Al Wasl Plaza, the Garden in the Sky observation tower, and the Surreal Water feature. Additionally, the Mobility Pavilion (Alif) and Sustainability Pavilion (Terra) have transformed into interactive educational experiences.
The Opportunity Pavilion has been transformed into the Expo 2020 Dubai Museum, showcasing the history and impact of world expos. Other notable attractions include the Women’s Pavilion, highlighting female change-makers globally, and the Vision Pavilion, honoring the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The city also introduces new ‘Stories of Nations’ exhibitions, presenting event-time experiences of the Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability Districts.
Expo City Dubai has retained 80% of the infrastructure and buildings from Expo 2020, including 123 LEED-certified buildings. It has achieved WELL certification, emphasizing the positive impact of the built environment on health and wellness. The city operates as a free-zone site, providing modern infrastructure and a 5G-enabled network. To promote sustainability and convenience, no cars are allowed on the site, and alternative modes of transport such as buggies, scooters, and bicycles are available.
DP World, Siemens, and Terminus Group, who were major partners during the Expo event, have become the first anchor tenants in the new free-zone city.
Transport and Access
Commute times by car
From Expo City Dubai, it takes approximately 43 minutes to drive to Dubai Mall, 37 minutes to Palm Jumeirah, 40 minutes to Burj Al Arab, and 37 minutes to The Walk JBR.
Airport proximity
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is roughly a 58-minute drive, while the new Al Maktoum International Airport is approximately a 30-minute drive.
Public transport
Route 2020, an extension of Dubai Metro’s Red Line to the Dubai Expo 2020 venue, was completed in June 2018. The tunneling works began in October 2017, and the metro viaducts were completed in November 2018. The entire railway project was finished by July 2019, and the metro was inaugurated in May 2020.