Construction of Dubai Expo themed districts to start 'by end of March'

Construction work of Dubai Expo 2020’s three main themed districts will start by the end of March following the award of a $600 million contract to Al Futtaim Carillion.

The main contractor for the site of the mega event said it is now mobilising and will be “starting work before the end of March”.

The contract announced on Thursday is the first of AED11 billion worth of construction contracts that Expo 2020 Dubai plans to award in 2017.

Expo’s three Theme Districts will be named Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability after its three sub-themes and the design will reflect traditional Dubai architecture.

When Expo 2020 Dubai opens on October 20, 2020, the Theme Districts will be home to 136 pavilions for many of the participating countries, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and commercial partners. In total, the Theme Districts and the buildings within them will have a floor area of 222,000 square metres.

Ahmed Al Khatib, vice president – Real Estate at Expo 2020 Dubai also confirmed that other construction awards this year.

“It’s a big moment in the life of this event. The Theme Districts will be a major part of the site, explored and enjoyed by many thousands of people daily during the six months of Expo 2020 Dubai,” he said.

Public spaces in the Theme Districts will host innovative shades and climate control solutions, which together with the passive design of the buildings, will create a comfortable and enjoyable visitor experience.

Edmund Mahabir, managing director of Al Futtaim Carillion, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai is a landmark project for the UAE as the first World Expo to be held in the Arab world and Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.

“Al Futtaim Carillion has been operating as a Dubai-based joint venture since 1972. We are very proud to be able to play a role in the construction of the site for Expo 2020 Dubai, a venue that will play an important role in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the UAE,” he said.

Al Futtaim Carillion is 51 percent owned by Dubai firm Al Futtaim and 49 percent by Carillion Construction Overseas Ltd, part of the Carillion group, according to the venture’s website.