Legacy plans for Dubai’s 2020 expo will reuse more than 80 per cent of the site once the event is complete, according to government officials.

Upon the Expo’s conclusion, the 4.38sq km (1.69sq m) site will be transformed into an ecosystem connecting multiple sectors, including transport and logistics, travel and tourism, real estate, and education.

The government says the plan is to create a “knowledge-based economy” that contributes to the UAE’s diversification.

“More than 80 per cent of our investments will be retained following the event,” said Marjan Faraidooni, Expo 2020’s vice president of legacy

“This includes the infrastructure, as well as the cutting edge technologies, the roads and public transport systems put in place to host the Expo. We intend to build on those physical and virtual platforms to create an ecosystem that lives through legacy.”

Faraidooni added that the event “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 whole.”

The main area of the Expo, which will host participating countries’ pavilions, will eventually host collaborative work spaces to house companies of all sizes, and social and cultural institutions. The conference and Exhibition Centre, a key structure in the HOK-Arup masterplan, will become an event venue for Dubai under the legacy plan, to be operated by Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Expo area will be surrounded by residential, hospitality and logistics zones, and will be able to accommodate up to 300,000 visitors. HOK-Arup will assist on most aspects of the site masterplan, including; development of building, pavilions, public realm and landscaping, urban design and engineering guidelines, spatial planning, sustainability practices, overlay, event operations and facilities management.