The Expo City Dubai masterplan has attained two pre-certifications of globally recognised social and environmental sustainability systems, testament to its commitment to developing an innovation-driven, people-centric community.

Expo City Dubai is now pre-certified Platinum – the highest possible rating – in LEED Cities and Communities standard, which focuses on inclusivity, economic development and environmental preservation.

The city also achieved pre-certification for WELL Community – a standard that emphasises health and wellbeing and the leading international standard for a healthy built environment – and is targeting WELL Gold for its anticipated certification.

Expo City Dubai is the only urban centre in the Middle East and North Africa region to achieve this combination of pre-certifications and first in the region to achieve WELL Community pre-certification.

The lynchpin of Dubai’s growth located in the rapidly expanding Dubai South area, Expo City Dubai is close to Al Maktoum International Airport, Jebel Ali Port and Dubai Exhibition Centre.

The masterplan features five districts designed as an efficient grid system to ensure navigation, circulation and accessibility, while a network of green and blue spaces – from parks and fields to small sikkas and urban water features – will permeate throughout.

It contains specific targets across areas including: protecting and increasing biodiversity; reducing energy consumption and increasing the use of clean energy; minimising water consumption and increasing the use of alternative water sources; increasing the use of sustainable, lower carbon public transport options and creating spaces that encourage walking, cycling and micromobility; and facilitating economic opportunity and creating a quality work environment.

Expo City Dubai, including Dubai Exhibition Centre and Expo Village, is already home to 123 LEED-certified buildings, and the masterplan further sets the target of LEED Gold as a minimum requirement for all buildings.

Meanwhile, the WELL Community standard, created by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) gives pre-certification to real estate projects that demonstrate a commitment to health and wellbeing across 10 areas: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community.