The masterplan for the Expo was designed by architects HOK, Populous and Arup / Photos: Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai launched on 1 October 2021 – a year later than originally planned, due to disruption caused by the pandemic. The first-ever Expo to be held in an Arab country, it features around 200 exhibitors in an exhibition ground covering more than 4sq km (1.5sq m) and is part of Dubai’s mission to reinvent its future in a more equitable and sustainable way.
Located between the city-states of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the masterplan for Expo Dubai 2020 was designed by architects HOK – in partnership with Populous and Arup – and is organised around a central plaza, entitled Al Wasl.
This in turn is enclosed by three large thematic districts, each dedicated to one of the sub-themes of Expo Dubai 2020 – Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
Running for six months, the event features pavilions representing 191 nations.
Country pavilions are accompanied by three other types of pavilions – partner, organisation and special pavilions.
The partner pavilions are occupied by commercial companies showcasing their innovations and products, while international organisations are using their presence to show how they’re working to address the global challenges of our time.
The special pavilions feature a mix of ‘education, entertainment and excitement,’ offering learnings and interactive experiences on topics such as sustainability and ‘opportunities’.
Many of the pavilions have been designed by renowned architects and are destinations in their own right. Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, for example, was designed by Grimshaw Architects and aims to present visitors with “real-life solutions to real-world problems”, while the Foster + Partners-designed Alif – The Mobility Pavilion looks to break down the divide between physical and digital worlds. The Expo also features the Programme for People and Planet – a platform for a free and open exchange of new ideas and innovations.
Designed to help reimagine the global economy and place equality, universal respect and human dignity at the centre of human progress, the programme has five tracks. These are Build Bridges, Leave No One Behind, Live in Balance, Thrive Together and UAE Vision 2071.
Describing the programme, the Dubai Expo organisers said: “We will explore humanity’s most pressing challenges through a cultural, social, environmental and economic lens.
“We will build a global community of action. Together, we’ll unlock the potential for individuals and communities to shape the future as we engage in conversations that matter and deliver real-life solutions to real-life challenges.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2021 issue 3
Editor's letter: Time for action
With COP26 upcoming, now’s the time for attractions leaders to commit to carbon reduction, says Liz Terry
AM People: Daniel Hemsley
Immersive entertainment company Swamp Motel is launching a new live show. AM finds out more
AM People: Kengo Kuma
The H.C. Andersen House has opened in Denmark. Designed by Kengo Kuma, it celebrates storytelling
New opening: The deepest dive
Featuring post-apocalyptic underwater environments and the world’s deepest pool, Deep Dive Dubai is making waves
Sustainability: A brighter future
With a zero-emission hotel and plans for a huge photovoltaic plant, PortAventura World is moving towards a new energy model
Museums: Play on
Using emotion, technology and special effects, Ravinia Music Box is bringing the music of Leonard Bernstein to new audiences
Tourism: Local heroes and global nomads
From globally-renowned art galleries to community-run attractions, a new breed of visionaries are reimagining tourism in this rural idyll
Planetariums: Thomas J Wong
As the world’s largest museum of astronomy opens in Shanghai, we speak to the architect who helped make the vision a reality
World Expo: Expo 2020 Dubai launches
It was delayed by a year due to COVID-19, but the Expo has now opened with more than 200 exhibitors and a masterplan designed by HOK, Arup and Populous
Museums: Phillip Tefft
The Imperial War Museum is bringing untold stories to life with its Second World War and Holocaust Galleries. Exhibition designer Phillip Tefft shares the journey
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
The masterplan for the Expo was designed by architects HOK, Populous and Arup / Photos: Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai launched on 1 October 2021 – a year later than originally planned, due to disruption caused by the pandemic. The first-ever Expo to be held in an Arab country, it features around 200 exhibitors in an exhibition ground covering more than 4sq km (1.5sq m) and is part of Dubai’s mission to reinvent its future in a more equitable and sustainable way.
Located between the city-states of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the masterplan for Expo Dubai 2020 was designed by architects HOK – in partnership with Populous and Arup – and is organised around a central plaza, entitled Al Wasl.
This in turn is enclosed by three large thematic districts, each dedicated to one of the sub-themes of Expo Dubai 2020 – Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
Running for six months, the event features pavilions representing 191 nations.
Country pavilions are accompanied by three other types of pavilions – partner, organisation and special pavilions.
The partner pavilions are occupied by commercial companies showcasing their innovations and products, while international organisations are using their presence to show how they’re working to address the global challenges of our time.
The special pavilions feature a mix of ‘education, entertainment and excitement,’ offering learnings and interactive experiences on topics such as sustainability and ‘opportunities’.
Many of the pavilions have been designed by renowned architects and are destinations in their own right. Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, for example, was designed by Grimshaw Architects and aims to present visitors with “real-life solutions to real-world problems”, while the Foster + Partners-designed Alif – The Mobility Pavilion looks to break down the divide between physical and digital worlds. The Expo also features the Programme for People and Planet – a platform for a free and open exchange of new ideas and innovations.
Designed to help reimagine the global economy and place equality, universal respect and human dignity at the centre of human progress, the programme has five tracks. These are Build Bridges, Leave No One Behind, Live in Balance, Thrive Together and UAE Vision 2071.
Describing the programme, the Dubai Expo organisers said: “We will explore humanity’s most pressing challenges through a cultural, social, environmental and economic lens.
“We will build a global community of action. Together, we’ll unlock the potential for individuals and communities to shape the future as we engage in conversations that matter and deliver real-life solutions to real-life challenges.”
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2021 issue 3
Editor's letter: Time for action
With COP26 upcoming, now’s the time for attractions leaders to commit to carbon reduction, says Liz Terry
AM People: Daniel Hemsley
Immersive entertainment company Swamp Motel is launching a new live show. AM finds out more
AM People: Kengo Kuma
The H.C. Andersen House has opened in Denmark. Designed by Kengo Kuma, it celebrates storytelling
New opening: The deepest dive
Featuring post-apocalyptic underwater environments and the world’s deepest pool, Deep Dive Dubai is making waves
Sustainability: A brighter future
With a zero-emission hotel and plans for a huge photovoltaic plant, PortAventura World is moving towards a new energy model
Museums: Play on
Using emotion, technology and special effects, Ravinia Music Box is bringing the music of Leonard Bernstein to new audiences
Tourism: Local heroes and global nomads
From globally-renowned art galleries to community-run attractions, a new breed of visionaries are reimagining tourism in this rural idyll
Planetariums: Thomas J Wong
As the world’s largest museum of astronomy opens in Shanghai, we speak to the architect who helped make the vision a reality
World Expo: Expo 2020 Dubai launches
It was delayed by a year due to COVID-19, but the Expo has now opened with more than 200 exhibitors and a masterplan designed by HOK, Arup and Populous
Museums: Phillip Tefft
The Imperial War Museum is bringing untold stories to life with its Second World War and Holocaust Galleries. Exhibition designer Phillip Tefft shares the journey
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
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