Expo 2020 masterplan
P
reparations for what is likely to be the biggest event ever hosted in the Gulf region are about to gather pace following the news that the bulk of the contracts for construction of the site are set to be awarded this year. The organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai announced last month they will hand
out 47 construction contracts worth a huge AED 11bn ($3bn) over the course of 2017. At the same time it was revealed that just before the turn of the year an Orascom-Besix joint venture had bagged a major contract to carry out deep infrastructure work at the Expo site in Dubai South. Additional construction contracts to be awarded this year include the third and final infrastructure package for the event’s support areas, including car parking. Other key awards include the contracts to build the three thematic districts that will host the majority of the pavilions, as well as the public areas and the design, development and delivery of all temporary architecture and infrastructure required to stage the event. “We are committed to working with leading businesses from across the world in order to deliver an exceptional event of this scale, on time and on budget, “Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said in February.
“This is particularly true when it comes to the development of the physical site, which will live on long beyond 2021 to become an anchor for the UAE’s developing knowledge economy in Dubai South.” Once complete, the Expo site will cover 4.38 km2 and host up to 300,000 people a day during the six months of the event which runs from October 2020 until April 2021. Ahmed Al Khatib, Vice President of Real Estate & Delivery, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “While 2016 was an important year for design, 2017 is when the momentum of construction will really build, ahead of international participants beginning work on their pavilions in 2018.” He added: “These important contracts will help us meet our target of completing the majority of construction with a year to go before Expo 2020 Dubai opens its doors in October 2020, providing the opportunity for allimportant readiness testing.” Early works on site are now complete, with more than 4.7 million cubic metres of earth moved - enough
construction business news me // March 2017 //
41