Pics: Construction of Expo 2020 Dubai’s three thematic districts complete

Construction of Expo 2020 Dubai’s three thematic districts is now complete, organisers announced on Tuesday.

All the shell and core works for the opportunity, mobility and sustainability districts are done, and final building completion certificates have been received from Dubai Municipality, a statement said.

Built by the UAE’s Al Futtaim Construction and now landscaped with water and shading features, the districts are now ready for fitout.

They form the largest built-up area of the site and include 86 low-rise buildings that will house dozens of country pavilions, food and beverage outlets, retail, performance spaces and leisure areas.

Each district will be anchored by its own thematic pavilion and connected to the central Al Wasl Plaza.

Designed by Hopkins and Partners, the thematic districts are inspired by old Dubai, with façades resembling traditional Emirati wind towers and walkways lined with flora indigenous to the UAE. Features include smart shading, solar cells and moisture capturing mechanisms, as well as an enormous basement under each district, which will be used for logistics during the event and parking post event.

Construction of @Expo2020Dubai’s petal-shaped Thematic Districts is now complete, marking one of the most significant milestones on the road to welcoming the world to the #UAE. The site includes the Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability Districts. #Dubai pic.twitter.com/O3pduROo9E

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 21, 2019

More than 100 million working hours have gone into developing the site so far, the statement said.

Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “This is the year of delivery, and the completion of the three thematic districts is a major construction landmark to be celebrated as we prepare to welcome the world in less than 520 days.

“Despite the pace of progress, we remain committed to quality and worker welfare,” he added.

The next major Expo 2020 construction milestone is the completion of Al Wasl Plaza’s massive domed trellis, which will act as a huge 360-degree projection screen and is scheduled for completion in June.

The Dubai Metro Route 2020 extension, which will link Expo 2020 to the rest of the emirate, the three DEWA substations that will power the 4.38 sqkm site and other key water, sewage and telecommunications infrastructure, including the 2.2 km road network, have already been completed.

Ongoing construction of the thematic pavilions, the Dubai Exhibition Centre, and Expo Village is progressing as planned, the statement said.

All Expo-led construction is also “on track” to be completed before gates open, it added.

Expo 2020 expects to attract 25 million visits between October 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021, with 70 per cent of visitors projected to come from outside the UAE – the largest proportion of international visitors in the 168-year history of World Expos.

More than 200 participants, including countries, corporations, multinational organisations and educational institutions, will gather at the event – the first World Expo to take place in the MENASA region.

In terms of legacy, more than 80 per cent of the Expo-built environment will be converted to District 2020, an integrated mixed-use community, after the event.