Well after the Expo ends, visitors can walk under the world’s largest projection dome, check their reflection in the massive mirrors of the Saudi pavilion’s window to the sky and run up the stone walls of an unusual water feature.
Several architectural marvels will be among the four-fifths of infrastructure to stay when the six-month event ends this month.
The site will become a 15-minute city, with attractions, offices, parks and homes within the two-square-kilometre site no further than a short stroll or bike ride away.
Expo organisers and architects told The National their ambition was for the space to inspire people.
The goal is to infuse a work-life balance in a vibrant community that will be known as a research and technology hub with exceptional educational and cultural landmarks.
“So right from the beginning and even as part of our brief, we defined what the legacy of this experience and building it would be and how it would inspire future generations,” said Marjan Faraidooni, chief experience officer at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Here is a snapshot of features that will remain when the Expo site becomes District 2020, Dubai’s newest residential and business zone.
Al Wasl centrepiece
The sand-coloured dome has been the Expo’s main staging area and the venue of unforgettable concerts by bands such as Coldplay.
The steel trellis structure will be a gathering space that will continue to serve as a distinctive platform for world class performances.t
Al Wasl Plaza, Expo’s centrepiece, is the historical name for Dubai and means “connection” in English.
Taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the dome has been described as the “crown jewel” of Expo 2020 Dubai and was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill.
The Rove is one of two hotels on the 438-hectare site. Overlooking Al Wasl Plaza, it will remain as a permanent offering.
Sustainability science pavilion
Post-Expo, the solar-panelled sustainability pavilion, Terra, will live on as a children's and science centre.
Net-zero for energy and water, the canopy will remain as an example of sustainable design.
Grimshaw Architects, the British firm that designed the pavilion, wanted it to make people think about water reduction and recycling strategies.
It will host workshops and temporary exhibition spaces to raise awareness about the environment and to inspire children to make changes in their everyday life.
Mobility pavilion
The glinting curved rims of Alif, the mobility pavilion, has attracted millions of curious visitors for a glimpse of cutting edge technology.
Foster + Partners built a flexible structure that will continue to address the theme of mobility after the Expo ends.
It will also house offices.
The polished stainless steel building that resembles a giant fidget spinner also features the world’s largest passenger lift, carrying more than 160 people at a time.
It will host temporary exhibitions on mobility to attract tourists and residents.
UAE’s falcon-theme pavilion
Several pavilions will stay as visitor attractions and cultural meeting places.
The UAE pavilion’s 'falcon taking flight' concept developed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has been a favourite with world leaders and visitors often queuing up to enter the four-storey structure.
Exhibits dedicated to the history and future of the country chart the creation of a distinct national identity.
“The UAE pavilion will become an important cornerstone in our site and will have a legacy plan that will reflect our hopes and ambitions for the many years to come,” said Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai.
The nearby Vision pavilion will also remain that pays homage to the writings of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, based on his book My Story.
Saudi’s window on the world
The second-largest pavilion after the UAE has attracted major footfall with a gigantic LED mirror screen, interactive water feature and about 8,000 floor lights.
Covering an area of two soccer fields, the pavilion, which resembles a giant window opening to the sky, was designed as a legacy structure to remain long after the world’s fair ends.
The six-storey structure is among at least seven buildings at Expo that earned a platinum rating in a global green index.
It serves as a pilot to show how green energy savings can be achieved in Dubai and the rest of the region.
Gravity-defying water illusion
One of the biggest attractions of the Expo, drawing snaking queues on most weekends, will continue to draw crowds.
The Surreal water feature was created by WET, a Los Angeles-headquartered company that designed the fountains at Burj Khalifa and Bellagio in Las Vegas.
High-tech mechanics create an illusion that the water is racing upwards before the streams drop back down and disappear at the feet of spectators standing on the stone structure.
Fire and fog are released from the centre of the ring and set to a specially written score by Ramin Djawadi, the Game of Thrones music composer and two-time Emmy award winner.
Garden in the sky
A gently rotating observation tower soars 55 metres above the ground for a bird’s eye view of the site.
Visitors can catch sweeping panoramic views from a tree-lined upper deck that is linked to an air-conditioned lower cabin with tall glass windows.
The base of the tower and the observation cabins glow at night as visitors are lifted into the sky.
London designer Asif Khan is behind the observation deck and the towering carbon-fibre Expo gates.
Exhibition centre
Sited near the Dubai Metro Route 2020 station, within walking distance of the two hotels on the site, the centre has been used as a competition arena for the World Chess Championships and international trade events.
The venue is being positioned as ideal for conferences, concerts, exhibitions, award ceremonies and weddings.
An expansive 45,000 square metres of event space will be used by companies in logistics, tourism, education and technology as part of plans to deliver world-class facilities in a global innovation hub.
Recording studio
Musical legend AR Rahman has described hand-picking an all-women orchestra and building a studio as the “most exciting things in a decade”.
The Firdaus Studio, a collaboration between the Expo and the composer, will serve as a creative space in which artists from around the world can collaborate.
Rahman’s vision is for a world-class space where musicians and directors will converge to record film scores, albums and multimedia projects.
It will also be the home for the Firdaus Orchestra, the UAE’s female ensemble that fuses Arab and western styles.
Firdaus means “paradise” in Arabic and will be a special element of the Expo’s legacy as it aspires to attract musical and artistic talent.
Bike trails in 15-minute community
A healthy lifestyle will be the cornerstone of the new community with existing jogging and biking tracks extended once the Expo is over.
A four-kilometre zone will also be marked out for autonomous vehicles.
The 5km running path and 10km cycling track is part of a 45,000-square-metre space carved out for parks and greenery.
This will be a critical consideration for residents who move in when homes are handed over starting from January next year.
The pedestrian-friendly network will prioritise walking as central to life in the new district, which will include two hospitals, two mosques and a school.
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
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Azhar Ali (capt), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
