The Expo 2020 Dubai site will live long after it closes its doors in March 2022 and will be transitioned into District 2020.

As the most anticipated event of the Middle East and one of the biggest since the COVID-19 hit the world, the Expo 2020 Dubai is finally open, and a beeline of visitors throng the venue on daily basis.

Even though the six-month-long event is till March, the Expo 2020 Dubai site will live long after it closes its doors in March 2022 and will be transitioned into District 2020.

The event kickstarted on October 1 with a glittering opening ceremony with over 192 countries participating in the extravagant show. But what happens when the event is over in March?

The site will be converted into District 2020, allocated as a ‘city of the future’ which will be a new urban development in the UAE and the region that’s focused squarely on curating a global innovation ecosystem and an integrated community lifestyle.

The Expo organisers have promoted the site as a model global community for the future that will use high-tech innovation, science, and sustainability to create a cleaner, safer, healthier environment to live and work in.

Post the six months of the World Expo, the District 2020 will re-purpose 80 per cent of the Expo’s build environment into a cohesive mixed-use community that will continue to attract businesses and people to work, live, visit, and enjoy.

District 2020 will be developed into a smart and sustainable mixed-use community built with human centricity at its core. After the event, the space will be transformed into residential areas, green spaces, co-working spots, and smart mobility.

The smart city will reveal its blueprint at its ‘Future of Expo 2020’ experience hub, wherein visitors will be able to see the concept behind how the mega-event will change into the future and how it will play a key role in the sustainable urban development of Dubai.

After the expo 2020 is concluded, District 2020 aims to cater to a population of 145,000 at full capacity. In fact, many countries have also donated their purpose-built pavilions to Expo to be used by Dubai post-event.

For instance, Luxembourg has allowed its sustainability-focused pavilion which will operate as an incubator for rethinking challenges around natural resources and will remain permanently as part of the future city of District 2020.

Shanghai-based investment and incubation company Atlas Capital Holding has also announced it is building a blockchain campus in District 2020 after Expo 2020 Dubai.