District 2020 designed to be environmentally progressive and sustainable
What will happen to the Expo 2020 site after the big event is over?
The UAE will find out on Monday when District 2020, a residential and commercial area that will “be home to world-class innovation, educational, cultural and entertainment facilities as well as a conference and exhibition centre” is launched at Cityscape Global.
“Back in 2013, when we won the bid to host this great event, we set ourselves two clear objectives in line with our leaders’ vision: to stage a World Expo that would amaze the world and build a lasting legacy with a global destination that offers a new alternative for urban living,” said Reem Al Hashemi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director-General of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau in a statement released to the media on Saturday.
“His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, instructed us to build a site for a permanent legacy and therefore we had to think of ways to capitalise on what was being built for Expo as well as for post-Expo.
“We have created District 2020 to achieve that goal. It has been a key part of our planning from the very start, not just for our Legacy team but the entire Expo organisation.”
The new district is designed to an integral part of the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai from the fourth quarter of 2021, supporting the acceleration of the emirate’s development.
“It will be a long-term economic contributor for the UAE as a home for innovators, original thinkers and pioneers, creating jobs and attracting investment,” the statement said. The district will include 65,000 square metres of residential space and 135,000 square metres of commercial space, in a location that will be home to world-class innovation, educational, cultural and entertainment facilities as well as a conference and exhibition centre.
District 2020 is been designed to be environmentally progressive and sustainable, reflecting the changing demands of the modern world.
Every building will meet or exceed the rigorous LEED Gold standards in sustainable construction, the statement said. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system that evaluates the environmental performance of a building.
District 2020 will feature iconic Expo 2020 structures, such as Al Wasl Plaza, the Sustainability Pavilion, which will live on as a Children and Science Centre, and the falcon-shaped UAE Pavilion.
“District 2020 will continue to carry forward Expo 2020s mission of connecting people — offering a new urban experience,” said Marjan Faraidooni, Senior Vice President of Legacy Impact and Development at Expo 2020 Dubai, in the same statement.
“It will be at the cutting edge of modern working and living — combining places to work, rest and explore to create an ecosystem that stimulates connections, inspires creation and drives innovation, creating value for all those who come here.”
The Expo 2020 transition to Districy 2020 begins as soon as the expo finishes, with work starting from 11 April, 2021.
CityScape Global 2017 runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre from Sept. 11-13.
Key elements on District 2020
Design: The district aims to foster a “perfect work-life balance in an integrated and walkable community, connecting entertainment and lifestyle offerings.” The district will utilise the latest strategies, materials and innovations to maximise water efficiency and minimise energy use. All buildings will have at least LEED Gold Certification.
Business: District 2020 is being design to be a contributor for the UAE economy, attracting investment and exceptional talent to an ecosystem designed to connect people, goods and ideas, and facilitate access to markets, knowledge and innovation.
Community: District 2020 will be in Dubai South, an emerging master-planned city. The district includes 65,000 square metres of residential space, 10km of cycling track and 45,900 square metres of parkland — equivalent to six football pitches.
Technology: District 2020s digital infrastructure will deploy a high speed, resilient network utilising the latest available technologies to provide high performance plus scalability, flexibility and security. It will boast one of the first 5G mobile networks in the world.
Education: District 2020 will also be home to world-class education, academic and research facilities, a Children and Science Centre, and museums and galleries.
Transport: The dedicated Route 2020 Dubai Metro line is being constructed and District 2020 will be one stop from Al Maktoum International Airport. It is also adjacent to four major highways in the UAE and close to Jebel Ali Port.
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