Expo 2020 Dubai has revealed ambitious plans to transform the expo’s 4.38-sq-km site into an ecosystem that connects businesses in the transport and logistics, travel and tourism, real estate and education sectors, as part of creating a thriving knowledge economy.

“Our legacy plans are wide ranging and ambitious. Our Expo will continue to foster innovation, and to create meaningful partnerships that will live beyond 2020 – not only for the UAE but for the region as a whole,” Marjan Faraidooni, Expo 2020’s vice-president of legacy, explained.

“We have dedicated considerable effort towards identifying how we could develop a place that will continue to attract everyone: businesses, students, workers.”

Over 80 per cent of the site will be reused or repurposed in the legacy phase. The theme districts will become collaborative work spaces to house companies of all sizes, along with social and cultural institutions. The iconic theme pavilions will also be reused under the legacy plans.

The conference and exhibition centre will become a major venue to be operated by Dubai World Trade Centre, benefitting from the synergies that will be created as businesses and people develop the Expo site in the legacy phase.