Can a huge, former World Expo site be turned into a city?

Expo City Dubai, former site of international exhibition Expo 2020 Dubai, faced significant problems during the pandemic, not least a 12-month delay to its opening. Now, a new challenge awaits - to turn a 1,000-acre site into a functioning city.
Construction costs for the event were estimated at about $7 billion by EY in 2019.
“The investment really wasn’t for the event. The investment was for building the city,” said Nadia Verjee, chief of staff for Expo 2020 Dubai.
The planners of Expo City Dubai - formerly known as “District 2020′ - are hoping that modern technology and a focus on sustainability will be attractions.
Tim Van Vrijaldenhoven is an expert in urban planning. He has worked on large-scale infrastructure and transportation projects, such as the construction of the Abu Dhabi airport in the mid-2000s.
“It’s a huge challenge. Because if we look at the history of the World Expo, they tend to be become white elephants because of the huge impact it has on the city, because the World Expo sites are enormous,” Van Vrijaldenhoven said.
“After the event is gone, it’s very difficult to find a new function for that site,” he said.
So, will people want to live and work in Expo City Dubai?
#CNBC #Dubai #ExpoCityDubai #UAE
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[@kumarsivadas4773]

Momentum is the most important factor. Tom Chitty definitely has it. This series on Dubai is gaining momentum as it goes. Looking forward to the next one. Amazing Dubai always ❤🇦🇪

[@juanlabuschagne6233]

Cape Town Stadium is not a white elephant 😂 It's home to the Stormers' Rugby Team and hosts concerts

[@markusz4447]

according to google maps 2 thirds of the expo areas are parking lots... public transport seems to be to little. Also it is about 8km to the container harbor and 30km from burj khalifa... It doesn't seem too sustainable to spread out like this.

[@Limelight-yl3gx]

nope. direct routes to the expo from all major bus stations and they build a whole new line on the metro for the expo just so that anyone from anyone corner of dubai rlly can access the site. Only issue is that it does take some time to travel all the way there.

[@shemeemsoldier]

Yeah that holds true in most places except Dubai, Dubai has a page in history of re purposing it's land in a large scale in a small time the expo site was selected to be between the two major airports in Dubai (DWC and DXB) and the neighboring capital emirate Abu dhabi, there is a direct metro line connecting everything together. Plus Dubai looks like it is trying to move it's essential base away from downtown (Burj khalifa) to Dubai South a place after the expo site expanding the city scape and Jebal Ali Port is not a container port, it is the regions Largerst sea port docking everything from US carrier ships to largest cruises, so a "container harbor" is an understatement on a massive scale.

[@matthewarmstrong5558]

Dubai has districts for everything: media city, internet city, knowledge village, healthcare city. To me it would make sense in all the foreign investment agencies (seeking for encourage businesses to open a division in their country of seeking foreign investment) were located here. That way if you were deciding between hiring from india or Bangladesh or thinking of opening a hub in Europe or looking for a country with the best call centres etc, you could do that all in one place.

[@NotARedHat]

Im from the uae I live in abudhabi I really liked your non bias comment for once there are people who are the people who look into it and can think

[@NotARedHat]

In the capital abu dhabi its much different than dubai

[@NotARedHat]

Dubai is the economic capital

[@NotARedHat]

And abu dhabi is more vintage

[@NotARedHat]

Its cultural capital here in abudhabi

[@appl2597]

Beijing's 2008 arenas and stadium wasn't under-utilised. They just reused it for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Before that, the stadium was a tourist attraction and the Aquatic Centre was converted into a public swimming complex.

[@glorious_help]

same for the Sochi stadiums... they are used... but this channel doesn't know.

[@gamh03]

@@glorious_help yeah this year winter olympics facilities become summer holiday attraction.

[@porkysharma8423]

​@@glorious_help "channel doesn't know" more like it didn't fit the narrative that CNBC wanted to paint.

[@EliF-ge5bu]

Using it for its intended purpose every 14 years? Way under-utilized.

[@whenisdinner2137]

Being used for the first time in 14 years means it's underutilized. They don't even use it to host Sports unless they get a major world event

[@ali-tal]

It's not a new challenge to deal with hot climates. The way it sounds in @5:55 like it's a roadblock to growth. The Middle East region has always been hot, and in fact Expo Dubai site is greener than many other destinations in the ME region. If there is a will, there is a way to make Expo District 2020 a success!

[@Limelight-yl3gx]

update: so im guessing going the amusement park route kinda?? they reoped a couple of the pavilions. u can either pay about 50 aed for an individual pavilion or 120 aed for a full day ticket. rn there are 5 pavilions, but they're planning on opening more. not sure about businesses, heard there are a couple moving in but not sure which. anyway, this site is sure to be a social hub for YEARS because it has left such a huge imprint on the residents here?? like a year later, and its still all anyone can talk about and me and my friends are constantly talking bout how we cldnt explore it more.

[@DrJohnnyJ]

A lot of capacity was needed because the World Trade Center was booked for years. Very little was built on speculation. Of course, small, temporary buildings will be torn down and the parking lots built over.

[@OFWNomad]

We visited Dubai Expo City, formerly known as Expo 2020 Dubai, and it is still preserved. Now a tourist spot. And soon will have residential area. They had Ramadan activity, there and open for concerts too. I vlogged it then.

[@nicgeld]

What are you talking about? Cape Town stadium is now the home of Western Province/Stormers Rugby and sees many rugby matches, among other sports like soccer. It hosts the SA leg of the rugby 7s every year and the 7s World Cup is being held there this coming weekend ffs! Typical Western ignorant journalism.

[@isprikitikburkabush6200]

I remember many critics says Olympic park in Sochi will be a ghost town after the olympics. Its 2022 and still not a ghost town

[@djsal7769]

I wish the developers from Dubai can come to California and help redevelop the run down cities here such as Oakland and San Francisco California which has became a homeless city

[@moroccovideos2167]

That problem can be solved overnight, by banning alcohol and drugs completely and thoroughly.

[@thatpakiguy3445]

@Ka Boom yup, freedom and tolerance, when taken to an extreme is a bad thing... the complete collapse of the family system in Western countries, combined with collapsing birthrates (resulting in workforce shortage) is a proof of how dangerous unlimited freedom and tolerance is.

[@rvm5052]

@@thatpakiguy3445 and where has those freedom restrictions and mono religious politics led Pakistan to , we all know.

[@paulwall7045]

Have you ever been to dubai?

[@TheOtherNEO]

@@moroccovideos2167 alcohol and drug abuse is a symptom, not a cause so isn’t going to fix anything. Also, alcohol ban didn’t work the last time it was tried, only created bigger problems.

[@Themiddleearther1990]

Uae still one of the safest countries in the world.

[@youmakemesmile1965]

Luxembourg pavillion is one of my fave.. so much fun....👍

[@evansmuzimlimi5205]

I live in South Africa, Cape Town stadium is widely used by different sporting codes. bad reporting

[@Hahajajbxbakq]

Sochi underutilized? Its always jampack with locals ang tourist

[@tanujSE]

Can city be turned into agricultural or food production,I would ask this

[@phoenix5054]

“White Elephant” I like this term.

[@NhlanhlaMathe]

Cape Town stadium is used for rugby, football and concerts. Don't lie on my country please.

[@spiritedteam]

Not like he talked about all the crime we have. Pipe down

[@NhlanhlaMathe]

@@spiritedteam voetsek, msunu

[@showaibzaman400]

Are you sure?

[@NhlanhlaMathe]

@@showaibzaman400 no, I'm lying 🙄

[@showaibzaman400]

@@NhlanhlaMathe why you lie 😕

[@imrankhansamir4901]

Excellent

[@aarushsingh2356]

Delhi stadiums are often used to host national level sport events. What are you taking about?

[@ML-jw8kf]

Much below capacity, that is the issue.

[@zemrpereira]

Simple answer, yes it can. Expo 98 in Lisbon turned into a major part of the city.

[@khaledalhouli8816]

Well done Dubai

[@kikolatulipe]

Do they have water in this spot ! It is good idea to give a new purpose to this expo !

[@jezzlaureano1956]

Regarding the heat. I hope they could also consider that walkways will have walkalator so as to reach your destination faster making for a person to be less exposed to the heat. Also as other walkways in Dubai already done, they could just simply have a covered walkways.

[@matthewarmstrong5558]

Once it’s a normal city and people can use the walkways with their e scooters etc but dubai is walkable 8 months of the year and the other 4 months it’s walkable, just hot. So it’s not like you can’t get about.

[@NotARedHat]

I think they might make ac’s to make it more cooler and shades for the sun

[@ejadjazzy6780]

I really wanted to live there....huhu. well i wish....no chance i guess.

[@Amin1789-d6m]

Government should Learn something from them.

[@peeticek1624]

Phenomenal place..

[@god-incarnate]

Just don't go to labor camp there, or it'll ruin your perspective.

[@4izm0v]

It is not like they can relocate the UAE, so complaining about the weather is pointless

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

Nice video.

[@tfk123tfk]

All the best luck

[@kumarsivadas4773]

Well that's a new lingo. Puts Good luck or all the best to shame. 😊

[@iimaazii963]

Dubai is the best

[@professorb3843]

Ofc they will 💯✨✅

[@JoeRogansGutBiome]

$7 billion is insane. You will not see that money back for decades. I don't care what they say.

[@Zaabi]

We made the money back in the first 2 months of expos opening with all the deals made there

[@g.george]

@@Zaabi Lol source?

[@Iceyfire12]

And it’ll cost about $5 Billion more to redesign and built it for a city!

[@Zaabi]

@@g.george for?

[@Zaabi]

@@Iceyfire12 lol no

[@svenlakemeier]

The building circled at 1:23 is not the U.S. pavilion, the U.S. one was one to the left.

[@Enerjy]

You're so right that's DP world lol

[@msallehuddinsoeb]

who watch olympic? it is better to bid for world cup/euros since it generate more revenue and less venue needed to bulit, or in most cases just need to upgrade.

[@Viee101YT]

Dubai the Richest City in World 🇦🇪👌❤️

[@theglorfindel]

I can say with confidence that this is not going to work. This is not how you build a community. You need a place that people care about, one that people are attracted to. And an old Expo Campus is quite the opposite, with its huge abstract buildings and empty spaces. Compare the way this place looks like with something like and old town in Europe. The difference is like day and night. I have a feeling that this is going to end up exactly like other futuristic mega-projects: almost completely empty, with no character and community of its own.

[@TruthFound]

Dubai is already full of buildings, exhibition centres, stadiums etc. I guarantee this 'city' will be largely disused.

[@NotDayWalker]

Title answers it self. Really think they would build this only for expo without ever thinking post expo use of it

[@kellannkundla5864]

since when is Cape Town stadium a white elephant ? all rugby matches play there

[@Felevr]

Smarttttttttt . . . I love this repuposing stuff

[@johnpinheiro6211]

Come to expo in Lisboa, Portugal 🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🤫

[@xxsaf91xx]

CNBC $ 7Bn gamble clickbait was dope.

[@தமிழ்முஸ்லிம்]

UAE 🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪

[@GevEdgar]

👑

[@rudra7615]

A city built around the idea of walking and cycling but done in a desert. Wtf

[@alfredhitchcock45]

Yeah coz walking in the desert is fun

[@firojmnalam6121]

हालात ऐसे की छह साल से एक भी बेड नहीं रहा खाली: हार्ट रोगियों की संख्या का अंदाजा इसी बात से लगाया जा सकता हैं कि बीते छह साल से शहर के इंदिरा गांधी हृदय रोग संस्थान आइ जी आइ सी में एक भी दिन एक भी बेड खाली नहीं रहा, यहां कुल बेडों की संख्या १३८ है?👍👍👍👍👍

[@superfluous5162]

I don't see sewage line 😂 . Poop truck on the way .

[@imrankhansamir4901]

Excellent initiative

[@yassinait]

Invest was not for the Event?

[@sunglasserz]

It’s not CNBC’s business.

[@hongthangluong1061]

Hay quá

[@MJ-vr5xs]

Expo wasn't "built in the desert" it was built in Dubai, a modern metropolitan city

[@Johntheviewer]

in the desert

[@AnonymousReader-er4eg]

@@Johntheviewer XD

[@crusader8331]

Indian toppers are respected everywhere expect in their own country.

[@anshadthavalengal]

True! Have no value in our country, but we proved our skills out of India.

[@justaperson2247]

I agree.... this is the one of the reason for our talent leakage nd apart from domestic corruption, religious nd casteist divides nd not so developed nd worthy jobs for those skills

[@buboy19]

How is this relevant to the topic of the video?

[@Pheroow]

Not really respected, but rather "exploited". Indians alongside Chinese and Pakistanis are what you would find if you look at "cheap labor" in the dictionary. Don't think you're special, "crusader".

[@AnonymousReader-er4eg]

Same with Bengalis and Pakistanis

[@Gustav_Smit]

So glad they mentioned Cape Town, because of the 2010 Fifa World Cup there's so many white elephants in South Africa

[@NhlanhlaMathe]

How much do you earn from spreading lies on the internet?

[@larsthorwald3338]

A brand new, unlivable city! Yay!

[@MM-sn5xd]

How it's unlovable?

[@theduden]

More livable than homeless burdened new york or los Angeles 🤣

[@loo-ko4mw]

It's livable your just week 🤣

[@god-incarnate]

@@loo-ko4mw Statistic stating that 75% percent of people "living" there are Indian laborers definitely says how liveable it is.

[@ranjithpowell6791]

Hehe I’ve heard that before

[@TheProbabilityPlayer]

Kya hi ghante pe yaad h 7 billion

[@ageoflove1980]

Jesus... dont they have enough vaporware already there? Got a few artifical palms sinking back, maybe look at those first?

[@fjaajf]

And still there… so…?

[@uzairbrooks7420]

You are watching lot of anti Dubai propoganda

[@uzairbrooks7420]

@Кот Шредингера If they can build an entire island on sea then they will maintain it. Look at America all of it's infrastructure is rundown and old. When comparing Dubai's infrastructure with America it is heaven.

[@uzairbrooks7420]

@Кот Шредингера United States of America.

[@Aqoan]

This is an already-built district that hosted the world's largest expo in history. Making use of the infrastructure is an absolutely amazing idea. What's the downside? It already has public metro, housing, and walkable streets and hotels.

[@siedibrahim7078]

If you notice most buildings in Dubai’s city centre is already empty. They build buildings for no use when most are already empty. Many projects including the 2nd palm and world were a failure. Expo 2020 was indeed a failure eventually giving out free tickets as paid entrance didn’t attract many people. I believe most residing in Dubai are foreigners who will eventually return to their homeland. Most locals don’t even reside in Dubai, probably they might have residency in another western country. Dubai is just showing fake glitz and glamor to the media, when they are actually a failing state considering their oil well had already dried and they ate losing money. Saudi will be a force to reckon.

[@vivekmohanta2363]

The intro speaking about New Delhi is incorrect. Full fledged Annual sports are conducted there, recent being National Games. Half baked and over simplistic research, at least for New Delhi

[@hammad8954]

why don't they all change them into embassies?

[@acchaves]

Lisbon did it in 1998... no news here!

[@EliF-ge5bu]

Another vanity project that is bound to fail that Dubai has definitely came to be known for.

[@ymarmash]

Is there a sewage system in this city?

[@marekdg]

Yes in de form of poop trucks 🚛 💩 That city is a joke 🤡

[@multa7053]

Yes, there actually is and it's being expanded currently. They built the city first and now focus on the sewage system. But let's be honest, NY sounds and smells much worse than a poop truck in front of Burj Khalifa

[@ymarmash]

Why are you comparing New York to Dubai? There are plenty high rise cities across the globe that function better than Dubai in every sense. Dubai purely lives off the marketing and attention, no substance, manufacturing, any sort of export really other than some tourism and service industry for the saudi government.

[@multa7053]

​@@ymarmash It was just an unfair comparison like saying reproachfully that Dubai has no sewage system. But saying that Dubai lives off the marketing and attention it receives, is just wrong. Saudi Arabia isn't even UAE's biggest trade partner. But it's true that UAE, Singapore, Qatar etc. built cities out of nowhere by more or less the same strategy. Favourable and big airports, good own airlines and basically some of the best connections worldwide. You can hate or love it but Dubai will probably keep growing. I'm Italian from probably the richest region in Italy (GDP wise) and we're much more dependant on tourism than Dubai. UAE and other countries in that area are more or less the modern Switzerland. It's just like mentioning Lebanon as the modern and oriental Switzerland. Not true anymore but it was indeed called that. Countries change. Just like Afghanistan that was popular among hippies and other people until the 80s.

[@Zaabi]

@@ymarmash “Saudi government” wow those new bot accounts are something else

[@sunglasserz]

Why cnbc even care?

[@sarangawalimuni4955]

This is another Olympic style white elephant

[@Zaabi]

Nope

[@brandonstdenis6847]

Way to hot it’s only doomed

[@charmincharlie452]

How about the Yemen exhibit 🇾🇪 will it remain ?

[@krishnanunnimadathil8142]

“District 2020, renamed Expo City Dubai after my visit” Burra Sahib much? 😂

[@GopalRoy-nn6ft]

Expo city is in outskirts of Dubai.. Dubai district.. Most of companies won't like to set here as travelling is huge issue. From main Dubai or old Dubai city. Expo was remarkable I visited 2 week back it's silent city now. I don't see any good company will like to move here... Waste of too much money just for 6 months is white elephant same a al maktoon airport.. Build worthless when 3 terminals at Dubai main city.

[@yads6564]

Well, you're an Indian. Shouldn't you be more concerned about the state of infrastructure in your own country?

[@GopalRoy-nn6ft]

@@yads6564 yes we don't concern .. Cause we belive in skills and quality rather then show off waste of resource. FYI I live in dubai businesses bay. Dont teach urs father.

[@yads6564]

@@GopalRoy-nn6ft says someone from a country of poor malnourished people. You're our hired servant

[@yads6564]

@@GopalRoy-nn6ft by the way why does kali mata always has her mouth open? Is she always looking for swallow? 😂 Hindu

[@khankhan-ul9uk]

What ever is it management of expo 2020 is worst

[@bo6be3]

They keep emphasizing on the city being in the desert as if the UAE wasn’t built in the desert also it’s literally on the main roads of dubai 😂, also the heat was never a problem they’re are already established open outdoors spaces with many people commuting daily, whoever wrote clearly has never lived or experienced dubai and expo, cant wait for expo city to be open 😍😍😍 عمار يا بلادي 🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪

[@razal-ghul1105]

People mutting it out for dubai. Aveh pudi walleh

[@cartier2312]

When you have a lot of oil money you can build anything

[@adamsaciid4919]

they manage their oil money so they deserve

[@johnmcconalogue6498]

Oil money is abu dhabi not dubai

[@baflah1]

Dubai does not run on oil, 5% of the budget from oil and 1% GDP is oil

[@moroccovideos2167]

Venezuela has the highest amount of oil. And last I checked 88% of its population is in poverty. Within africa, nigeria is the oil giant, which is another 3rd world country full of poverty and corruption.

[@uzairbrooks7420]

Dubai don't have oil money

[@rohithb009]

5g is great still there is voip calling costliest

[@1pasupaty]

What nothing in Dubai goes useless like in other countries.olympics is a drain

[@DrJohnnyJ]

LA's olympics was pure profits. Others, like Barcelona, left the city with unneeded structures.

[@mjmminhaj]

Don't talk negatively... They know how to manage that. They will do.. you have to wait and see

[@murtuza.ahmed49]

Yes they can.... they made DUBAI out of the desert....so i have no doubt

[@jayharrow12]

people forget that they have been making billions/day for years, UAE/dubai doesnt have to disclose their reserves and its because they are trillionaires beyond belief. Bitcoin is going to the moon.

[@multa7053]

No idea what their money has to do with Bitcoin

[@j2shoes288]

FAILURE

[@hamadaj4276]

Ofcourse it can... Welcome to Dubai. Where the impossible is possible.

[@henrypang4734]

If China can! You can!

[@hussienalsafi1149]

😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😍😍😍😍😍

[@siedibrahim7078]

Dubai is a failing city behind all it’s glamour. Wasting resources for a city which will be deserted soon

[@multa7053]

I don't think so

[@ageoflove1980]

@@multa7053 Of course it will, its just a bunch of concrete in an empty desert. There is nothing there, except the ability to have a beach holiday i guess but there are already a million other places where you can have that. So there is no use case for the project. It only seems succesful by the enormous amounts of money that get pumped in, and the bordering on slavery cheap labour. Take this expo site for example: 7 billion and what does it get you? Some useless steel and concrete in a desert?

[@A7md-r9j]

@@ageoflove1980 Both of you know absolute shit about Dubai. Dubai is the biggest business hub in the region and among the top 20 in the world. You try to make it seem like the government does everything without extended planning and thinking, that they just announce stuff and hope for a desired outcome. I’ve noticed westerners like you have a tendency to bash the city to feel good about yourselves. I’m sure you felt like the best know-it-all after clicking that reply button.

[@alejandrosmusic8685]

@@ageoflove1980 it's funny to hear all of you guys speaking all this nonsense when you haven't even gone to dubai ever in your life and only see things with your western lenses hahahaha been 5 months here in Dubai with my company and you Will all see what happens in 20-30 years with the western countries.

[@ageoflove1980]

@@alejandrosmusic8685 hahahaha

[@Cyber_Cowboy]

First I hate my life

[@Fenzeee]

Nu

[@sharjeelkhan7437]

Too many Indians and Arabs from neighbouring countries have ruined Dubai progress.

[@asifalir]

How?

[@shivammore9502]

Says a Pakistani

[@seanhope734]

What a waste

[@ashutoshyadav7385]

What does this desert wants ?

[@fujifan5405]

DoBuY

[@TheFMBBCBM]

👌Deus pátria família liberdade Bolsonaro o melhor presidente do Brasil e do mundo inteiro!

[@peaceabner7285]

Get your facts right. Cape Town Stadium 🏟 is still in use