Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved a new master plan for Expo City Dubai that includes residential facilities for approximately 76,000 people. The announcement was made on Thursday, marking a major step in transforming the site that once hosted Expo 2020 Dubai and COP28 into a future growth driver for the city.
.@HHShkMohd, in the presence of @HamdanMohammed, approves new master plan for Expo City, placing it at the centre of Dubai’s future growth. The new plan outlines @expocitydubai's role in spearheading Dubai’s future development and enhancing the emirate’s global stature.… pic.twitter.com/CzzGEYhoml
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 3, 2024
Covering 3.5 square kilometers and spread across five districts, Expo City Dubai will accommodate more than 35,000 residents and 40,000 professionals. The master plan also outlines the development of the global headquarters for DP World and a new international exhibition center, which will require an investment of Dh10 billion.
Speaking on the plan’s approval, Sheikh Mohammed said, “Today, we approved the new plan for Expo City Dubai, a city with the goal of ‘creating the future’. The new master plan establishes Expo City Dubai as a hub for pioneers, entrepreneurs and investors, a magnet for innovators, educators and students, and a vibrant, nurturing community for residents and visitors.”
The new master plan for @expocitydubai. #Dubai pic.twitter.com/KOnwtTL6If
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 3, 2024
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the city’s pivotal role in innovation and sustainability, stating, “This city has become a pillar of innovation and sustainability in the UAE, a new chapter in Dubai’s success story that has amazed and earned the respect of the world.”
Present at the approval event was Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who praised Expo City Dubai as a realization of Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for a future-ready city focused on sustainability and enhancing quality of life. He added that the development would play a significant role in achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the 2040 Dubai Urban Master Plan, in which Expo City is designated as one of five key urban centers.
The plan also envisions Expo City as a strategic hub within the Dubai South region, benefiting from its proximity to Al Maktoum Airport, Jebel Ali Port, and the Dubai Exhibition Centre. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, highlighted the advantages of the site, noting that it links key shipping lines through Jebel Ali Port to Al Maktoum International Airport.
تمضي دبي في مسيرتها نحو ترسيخ مكانتها الريادية كمركز عالمي للسياحة والتجارة والاستثمار، مدفوعة بالرؤية الاستشرافية لصاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم، نائب رئيس الدولة رئيس مجلس الوزراء حاكم دبي، رعاه الله.
— HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (@HHAhmedBinSaeed) October 3, 2024
وتماشياً مع مستهدفات أجندة دبي الاقتصادية D33، يشكّل المخطط الرئيسي… pic.twitter.com/ReNztlYvr9
“The unveiling of the new master plan further validates DP World’s decision to relocate its global headquarters to Expo City Dubai,” bin Sulayem said. “This corridor will reduce sea-air transfer time to less than one hour and is a game-changer for our business.”
The new Expo City Dubai plan features a smart transportation system, green spaces, and an efficient grid system across five districts. The site will include Expo Hills, a low-density residential area; Expo Fields, a health-focused district with a school and sports facilities; and Expo Business, a campus-like environment for innovative companies. Expo Downtown will house the Al Wasl Dome and Terra Gardens, while Expo Forest will offer social and recreational spaces, further connecting the city to Expo Valley, which is already under construction.
