Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid unveils Dubai Expo City

Saudi Arabia's pavilion will form part of Dubai Expo City, Sheikh Mohammed has said. The structure was among the most well-visited during the six month fair. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Site of world’s fair to welcome new residents and major company headquarters

Staff Reporter

The Expo 2020 site will be transformed into Dubai Expo City and will soon welcome thousands of new residents and businesses, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said on Monday.

In a series of tweets, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai set out his vision for the legacy site.

Dubai Expo City will be a “hub of economic activity” and home to major companies and their headquarters.

The Expo waterfall, the scene of countless of family photos and Instagram shots, is here to stay Sheikh Mohammed said. Ali Haider / EPA

With a key focus on technology and the environment, it will serve as a destination of its own, served by the nearby Dubai World Central airport and the metro link with the city centre.

“After the historical success of Expo 2020 Dubai, visited by more than 24 million visitors, left a mark in the 170-year history of world expositions, today we announce the transformation of the exhibition site into Expo City Dubai, a new city that represents the ambitions of Dubai,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.

“Expo City Dubai will be an environmentally friendly city that caters to families and future generations.

“A city connected to a port and two airports, and also to beautiful memories in the hearts and minds of millions of people.”

Key buildings and some of the most popular attractions from Expo 2020, which ran from October last year until late March, will remain.

“The magic of Expo will continue,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.

“Al Wasl Dome will remain, the Expo waterfall will remain, and the pavilions will remain: The Emirates’, Ali and Terra.”

“This new city will be home to a new museum, a world-class exhibition centre and the headquarters of cutting edge and fast-growing companies.

The Expo waterfall, the scene of countless of family photos and Instagram shots, is here to stay Sheikh Mohammed said. Ali Haider / EPA

“It will continue to host the pavilions of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt and others.

“It will be a city that embodies the dreams of every city.”

At an on-site briefing, Reem Al Hashimy, managing director of Expo 2020, said the public would be soon able to relive their best memories of the world’s fair.

“While Expo 2020 Dubai closed its doors, Expo City Dubai never will,” said Ms Al Hashimy, who is also Minister of State for International Cooperation.

Behind the scenes at the closed Expo 2020 Dubai: in pictures

A view from outside the Singapore pavilion. For a time, visitors to the on-site Rove hotel were allowed to wander the empty streets of the site.
Photo: Chris Tan

The last evening of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National

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