An Expo 2020 Dubai chief is already gearing up to welcome the public back to the world's fair site - after a spectacular closing ceremony capped off an unforgettable six months
Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer for Expo 2020 Dubai, tells The National how the sprawling area will be transformed into a futuristic city where people can live, work and play.
What was Expo will soon welcome crowds again as District 2020 – providing a fitting legacy to the success of the global spectacle.
The most striking structures will remain in the Dubai South neighbourhood as will the two large parks, walking, cycle paths and restaurants in the city’s newest residential and business district.
Mr Al Khatib, Expo 2020 Dubai’s chief delivery officer, said the plan was to open up gradually.
“It will be in different phases, between now and October it should all open,” he told The National.
“Yes, the public can come in, so they can still can enjoy Terra, Mobility and other spaces.
“Our reopening will be done in phases because we want to open gradually.
“We need time to do the necessary transitioning to ensure the place is ready to integrate with the bigger city.”
Built to last from Day 1
Country pavilions will be dismantled and returned home as part of sustainability regulations that govern all world fairs.
“The physical site and of course the infrastructure will remain,” Mr Al Khatib said.
“The sustainability, mobility and opportunity pavilions are staying. Definitely the UAE pavilion, Al Wasl, the landscaping, the two parks, the exhibition centre, the water feature, the garden in the sky [observation tower] – all those were built to stay, since Day 1.”
These were references to the main pavilions that anchored the Expo – Terra, the disc-shaped sustainability pavilion; Alif, the mobility pavilion shaped like a fidget spinner; and the opportunity pavilion.
Other structures that will stay are Vision, the women’s pavilion, the UAE pavilion and a few other country pavilions.
Expo has previously said Terra would evolve into a children's and science centre that will be an educational attraction focused on green goals.
“What will be removed is just the security gates, signage, country pavilions,” Mr Al Khatib said.
“But the physical site, a lot, everything almost, will remain of what was built for Expo.”
Minutes away
The new neighbourhood will be the region’s first 15-minute city, with amenities in close proximity.
“So there is no reason for you to leave this city because you will have all your needs within 15 minutes from where you are,” Mr Al Khatib said.
“In terms of distance of your residence, work, park, gym, shopping, groceries, you are always within 15 minutes – also for your entertainment.
“It’s human-centric, the main factor was always the human experience for walkability, resting, shaded areas and the landscaping.”
The new district was planned from the outset to cater for residents.
This intention to build lasting structures was part of the bid document submitted in 2013 with the metro linked with a dedicated station.
Expo organisers studied earlier world fairs and visited the cities that hosted the events.
“We did look at the legacies of Shanghai, Milan and previous ones," Mr Al Khatib said.
“However, when it comes to Expo 2020 Dubai the approach is totally different.
“When we built Expo, the whole investment and vision was to build a future city and a legacy. That future city happened to host Expo.”
Must-visit destination
Art will hold a special space in the community with 11 art installations commissioned for the Expo that will stay.
“These are placed carefully in specific locations across the site so, during legacy, it will become not only a real estate destination, it will also be an art destination,” he said.
The public art programme includes Garden, an arresting marble inlay work with trees, streams and mountains and a recreation of life-size 11th-century implements to determine location that children and adults stop to examine.
Mr Al Khatib described the new space as a “must-visit” destination for all who loved the Expo.
“What will bring families here? Food, exploring, parks, entertainment, museums, everything is going to stay as you could see it during the Expo,” he said.
Mr Al Khatib said the enjoyment of visitors at the world fair was a treasured takeaway from his time spent working with the Expo for the past nine years.
“It has been amazing to see the reaction of the public, countries and participants from different groups coming to the Expo,” he said.
“In the morning you would see school kids interacting and playing. It’s priceless for all the hard work of the past years.”
He looked ahead to the future with mixed feelings.
“I don’t know should I be happy, should I be sad,” Mr Al Khatib said.
“I cannot imagine how I will feel on April 1.
“I’m sure it will be a time to reflect and relax and look forward to the next challenge.”
Ten Expo attractions that will stay as part of District 2020
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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