District 2020: the site of Expo 2020 Dubai will be a futuristic city 

A new residential and commercial district of the city focused on health and wellness to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

DUBAI, 31 March 2022. Al Wasl at sunset on the final day of Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Shadow MENA / Expo 2020 Dubai)

From Expo 2020 Dubai to District 2020.

After 182 days of unforgettable experiences, Expo 2020 Dubai, which saw the participation of 192 countries and registered 24,102,967 visits, ended on March 31 with an exciting ceremony.

The flag of the Bureau International des Expositions (Bie), hoisted under the iconic dome of Al Wasl Plaza for the six months of Expo 2020 Dubai, was delivered to Wakamiya Kenji, minister for Expo 2025 Osaka and Yoshimura Hirofumi, governor of the Japanese prefecture of Osaka.

Expo 2020 Dubai was the first world exhibition of the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region and the first event in existence since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Expo 2020 Dubai in addition to marking an important result for the city and a historic moment for the United Arab Emirates, paved the way to continue the legacy of the first universal exhibition in Arab territory.

From Expo 2020 Dubai to District 2020

The Expo 2020 Dubai site it will be transformed, gradually from 1 April to next October, into District 2020 a futuristic city where "people can live, work and have fun," he said Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer for Expo 2020 Dubai.

District 2020

District 2020 is the smart and sustainable city that will reuse over 80% of the built environment for Expo 2020 Dubai.

Several buildings of the universal exhibition have been designed and built to be transformed into residential units or commercial spaces once the universal exhibition is over.

The District 2020 hub is founded on four key sectors: Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data and blockchain and will contribute to the growth of Dubai's economy and innovation.

Much of District 2020's infrastructure will be focused on health and well-being with the aim of promoting a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle. 

The new neighborhood will be the first city in the region that can be traveled in 15 minutes, which means it will be possible to walk or cycle from one end to the other without the need for a car.

"The site will feature smart mobility solutions that encourage sustainable and flexible means of movement," he said David Gourlay, architecture director for District 2020.

"This includes - he explained - a range of mobility options linking the site, such as a dedicated path for autonomous vehicles, a 10km cycle path, wide interconnected pedestrian paths and a 5km jogging track".

What are the structures of Expo 2020 Dubai that will remain in the 2020 District?

The structures of Expo 2020 Dubai that will be part of District 2020 are: Al Wasl Plaza, The Water FeatureGarden in the Sky, the pavilion of the United Arab Emirates e of Saudi Arabia.

Another structure that will be part of District 2020 is Vision Pavilion.

The pavilion during the six months of the exhibition recorded a 96% visitor satisfaction figure, the highest among all the pavilions of Expo 2020 Dubai, and received the "Best Small Pavilion" award at World Expo Awards by Exhibitor Magazine.

Vision Pavilion was designed and built as a gift and tribute to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, vice president and ruler of Dubai.

Inspired by the book My Story: 50 Memories from 50 years of Service by Sheikh Mohammed, the pavilion offers visitors a glimpse of the influences that shaped his life with an in-depth guided tour.

Visitors will have the chance to discover Sheikh Mohammed's childhood and passions, traditional Emirati values instilled and experiences that influenced the vision of Dubai and the UAE.