LEGACY OF EXPO 2020 DUBAI TO ‘LAST FOREVER’

Innovative strategies are in place to ensure that the legacy of the six-month Expo 2020 Dubai lives forever.

The site will be transformed into District 2020 to inspire future generations of innovators. On the sustainability aspect, materials used in permanent construction will be retained and temporary construction recycled.

Daniel Render, director of sustainability at Expo 2020, noted the event’s venue will be a legacy site, which will outlive its use at exhibition through many different options.

“There will be lot of temporary assets used, which will later be donated to schools. We aim not to generate a lot of waste. We want to reuse all the components. The furniture could be given to charity,” Render said during a panel discussion held as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The 4.38 sqkm Expo 2020 site will have a Sustainability Pavilion; efforts are underway to minimise carbon emissions. There will be sustainability awareness and events throughout the six months were 150,000 to 300,000 daily visitors are expected.

Shaun Vorster, vice-president for programming at Expo 2020, noted the site will be an “innovation ecosystem” and “integrated city” for the future. “By the end of the Expo, the future actually begins,” he said.

Yasmin Baker, assistant manager for grant management at Expo 2020, said the sixmonth event will create a “cascading effect” beyond the exhibition.

Oliver Kraft, executive director for Expo 2020 at Siemens, underlined that technologies like the Internet of Things will play crucial role in ensuring safety, security and sustainability.

Michiel Raaphorst, founding partner, architect and director at V8 Architects, said there will be pavilions that will be “living off the grid”.