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 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
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
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.
+ More news
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