• Construction work is in full swing on the Italian pavilion at the Expo site in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Construction work is in full swing on the Italian pavilion at the Expo site in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Crews head to work at the Italian pavilion at the Expo site in Dubai. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National
    Crews head to work at the Italian pavilion at the Expo site in Dubai. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Eighty pillars of steel and concrete that will make up the Italian pavilion are already visible on the Dubai South Expo site.
    Eighty pillars of steel and concrete that will make up the Italian pavilion are already visible on the Dubai South Expo site.
  • Workers are busy at the Italian pavilion.
    Workers are busy at the Italian pavilion.
  • The pavilion will have galleries lined with Byzantine-style mosaics and a life-size version of Michelangelo’s David.
    The pavilion will have galleries lined with Byzantine-style mosaics and a life-size version of Michelangelo’s David.
  • Crews at the Italian pavilion were preparing the support beams and columns to carry the weight of three massive wooden boat hulls that are to be attached in April.
    Crews at the Italian pavilion were preparing the support beams and columns to carry the weight of three massive wooden boat hulls that are to be attached in April.
  • Roads leading to the site were being readied, with workers levelling and paving the approach paths.
    Roads leading to the site were being readied, with workers levelling and paving the approach paths.
  • Roads leading to the site were being readied, with workers levelling and paving the approach paths.
    Roads leading to the site were being readied, with workers levelling and paving the approach paths.
  • Italy's expo commissioner Paolo Glisenti inspects the construction work.
    Italy's expo commissioner Paolo Glisenti inspects the construction work.
  • Located near the pavilions of the UAE, Germany, India and Saudi Arabia, the theme of the Italian exhibit will be ‘Beauty that connects people’.
    Located near the pavilions of the UAE, Germany, India and Saudi Arabia, the theme of the Italian exhibit will be ‘Beauty that connects people’.
  • Workers are busy at the Italian pavilion.
    Workers are busy at the Italian pavilion.
  • Workers are busy at the Italian pavilion.
    Workers are busy at the Italian pavilion.
  • Hulls of three overturned boats painted white, red and green will be placed on the structure to resemble a giant wave covering the exhibition space.
    Hulls of three overturned boats painted white, red and green will be placed on the structure to resemble a giant wave covering the exhibition space.
  • Teams of workers could be seen on scaffolding platforms and perched on rooftops with their drills and welding equipment, busy fitting out pavilions.
    Teams of workers could be seen on scaffolding platforms and perched on rooftops with their drills and welding equipment, busy fitting out pavilions.
  • Teams of workers could be seen on scaffolding platforms and perched on rooftops with their drills and welding equipment, busy fitting out pavilions.
    Teams of workers could be seen on scaffolding platforms and perched on rooftops with their drills and welding equipment, busy fitting out pavilions.

Heritage

Dubai Expo 2020: Final construction work in full swing on world fair site

Workers are putting final touches to several pavilions at the site before the international event opens in October

The National

April 21, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

With a little under seven months to go before Expo 2020 Dubai opens its doors to the world on October 1, 2021, construction teams are working at a frenetic pace to deliver projects across the site.

On Tuesday, teams of workers could be seen on scaffolding platforms and perched on rooftops with drills and welding equipment, busy fitting out pavilions.

Roads leading to the site were also being readied, with workers levelling and paving the approaches.

Crews at the Italian pavilion were preparing the support beams and columns to carry the weight of three massive wooden boat hulls that are due to be attached in April.

Finishing work was taking place at the Philippine pavilion, due to be handed over later in March.

The main plaza area surrounding the Sustainability pavilion has been open to tourists and residents since late January.

People have been visiting the green-themed exhibitions under the sprawling canopy, taking photos of the mega sunshade and of solar-panelled trees that track the movement of the sun.

Initially scheduled for 2020, the Expo was postponed until October 2021 as countries grappled to deal with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sustainability pavilion opens to the public - in pictures

  • The 'sustainability pavilion' opens to the public at Dubai Expo 2020. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The 'sustainability pavilion' opens to the public at Dubai Expo 2020. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Visitors check out the new pavilion, which opened on Friday.
    Visitors check out the new pavilion, which opened on Friday.
  • Visitors in the 'hall of consumption' at the sustainability pavilion.
    Visitors in the 'hall of consumption' at the sustainability pavilion.
  • Sustainability is one of the expo’s three sub-themes and aims to raise awareness of human impact on the environment.
    Sustainability is one of the expo’s three sub-themes and aims to raise awareness of human impact on the environment.
  • Visitors at the ''land of future values'. Dubai Expo was postponed from 2020 to October 1 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Visitors at the ''land of future values'. Dubai Expo was postponed from 2020 to October 1 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Visitors in the forest section of the pavilion.
    Visitors in the forest section of the pavilion.
  • Tickets to visit the pavilion can be booked online. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Tickets to visit the pavilion can be booked online. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The pavilion covers 6,300 square metres of the expo site and is entirely operated from solar energy and recycled water.
    The pavilion covers 6,300 square metres of the expo site and is entirely operated from solar energy and recycled water.
  • The pavilion will be turned into a children’s science centre after the event ends.
    The pavilion will be turned into a children’s science centre after the event ends.
  • About 3,000 to 3,500 visitors are expected to attend Expo 2020 during weekdays and about 5,000 on weekends, organisers say.
    About 3,000 to 3,500 visitors are expected to attend Expo 2020 during weekdays and about 5,000 on weekends, organisers say.
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