COUNTDOWN STARTS
With only 730 days left before opening its doors on october 20, 2020, We look at the progress of the dubai expo 2020 projects and ambitions
Two years from now, the world’s attention will be focused on Dubai, as the city plays host to Expo 2020.
It will be the first time that the world’s biggest exhibition, which began in 1851 at Crystal Palace as the centrepiece of London’s Great Exhibition, will be held in the Middle East and African region.
With only 730 days to go before Dubai Expo 2020 opens its doors on October 20, 2020, we look at what have been achieved so far and what are the things to come. According to the Expo 2020 organising committee, “construction is well advanced on the three Thematic Districts that form the core of the Expo site. Foundations and structural works are complete within these areas.”
All concrete works for the Thematic Districts have now been completed, with about 243,000 cubic metres of concrete poured. Precast production and installation is now taking place and façade, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), and public realm works are also in progress. All major design elements are complete — the last being the iconic Al Wasl Plaza, a 130-metre wide, 67.5-metre tall domed space that will be enjoyed by millions of visitors.
Ahmed Al Khatib, senior vicepresident, real estate and delivery, Expo 2020 Dubai, told Khaleej
Times: “All projects across our 4.38sqkm site are rapidly taking shape. The concrete works for the Thematic Districts have now been completed, with approximately 243,000 cubic metres of concrete poured, the precast façade installation is substantially complete, while glazing, MEP and public realm works are progressing.
“There are currently about 26,000 workers on the Expo site with more than 44 million work hours having been achieved to date. Early next year, at the peak of construction, approximately 40,000 workers are expected on site, including employees of thirdparty stakeholders and participating countries,” he added.
Maha Al Gargawi, director — international participants, Expo 2020 Dubai, added: “More than 170 countries have already confirmed their participation — a significant number this far out from the Expo — and we are excited to see how these participating nations will bring to life our theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, as well as our three key subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
Mohammed Alhashmi, senior vice-president — innovation and future technologies, Expo 2020, said: “We are designing a ‘smart site’ that will be one of the most connected places on Earth and support a personalised and unique experience for millions of visitors. Its 5G-enabled network, which is expected to be around 20 times faster than 4G, will support a variety of applications from smart food ordering and dynamic crowd management to real-time way-finding information and immersive 4K content. State-of-the-art technology embedded throughout the site will help to ensure a seamless experience that will ‘wow’ visitors.”