Flats for Dubai Expo 2020 staff to be built by 2018

Event organisers will encourage expat residents and Emiratis to get involved in bid to foster social and cultural progress.

The Expo 2020 Expanding Possibilities event showsed off the Dubai site in April this year. Sarah Dea / The National

DUBAI // Apartments for Expo 2020 staff will be among the first structures built at the Dubai South site by 2018, organisers of the world fair have announced.

Strategies to involve all sections of UAE society, youths in particular, are being devised to create a sustained build-up of interest over the next five years.

“The residential areas for staff involved in the operation of the site will need to be ready by 2018, and as such will be one of the first sections developed on the Expo site,” said Reem Al Hashemy, Minister of State and director general of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau.

“Youths lie at the heart of our efforts. We hope to leverage this Expo to provide a platform to have their voices heard.

“But importantly, it will also inspire the next generation to embrace innovation and to use their imagination to bring about wider social and cultural progress.”

Encouraging residents and citizens to get involved is key to plans for Expo 2020, Ms Al Hashemy said.

“We are planning a few initiatives that will start early 2016 for the public to get involved in Expo 2020 Dubai,” she said.

“Our core objective is to build on the inclusiveness of the public, starting locally and expanding internationally. Fostering national pride is one of our main objectives, so both nationals and residents have a sense of ownership of Expo 2020 Dubai.”

After Dubai’s formal registration as the Expo host city last month in Paris, organisers can now approach more than 180 countries to participate.

It is estimated that between Dh20 billion and Dh22bn will be spent, including Dh10bn on extending the Dubai Metro and on infrastructure.

“The design layout, environment, architectural and cultural heritage and content of the master plan will provide visitors with a totally immersive and educational experience that will be an unforgettable journey of exploration and discovery,” said Ms Al Hashemy.

Under the planning schedule, the next two years will cover the design process, with buildings going up in 2018 and 2019, and countries developing their pavilions.

Sustainability is at the heart of the Expo, which will come up with concepts for environmentally-friendly buildings.

The 438-hectare site includes a gated 200-hectare Expo area surrounded by residential, hospitality and logistics zones.

“We have started site design plans because there is so much infrastructure work for the municipality,” said Hussain Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality.

“Committees are studying green guidelines, smart solutions in building material. We want substances used in the Expo area to be of a higher standard.”

Masdar has been part of the country’s Expo journey.

“We are very excited to support and enhance the sustainability initiative and to offer our 360-degree renewable industry expertise alongside the Expo team,” said Nawal Al Hosany, Masdar’s director of sustainability.