Initially designed as a car-free urban showcase, Expo City Dubai is revising its masterplan to allow limited automobile access for emergency, delivery, and private vehicles. The 3.5 sq km development — anchored by the iconic Al Wasl dome — is transitioning from a recreational venue into a fully functional new city set to house more than 35,000 residents and accommodate over 40,000 workers.
Vehicle Access to Support a Growing Population
Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer at Expo City Dubai, confirmed that the changes accommodate essential vehicle categories without compromising the city's sustainability goals. "Expo City is going to be a city with all types of infrastructure, which requires making ways accessible for some specific modes of transport," he said.
The revised Expo City Dubai masterplan follows a 15-minute city model, where residents and workers can reach medical services, retail, and recreational facilities within walking distance of their home or office.
Sustainable Mobility at the Core
Vehicles remain a small part of a broader, low-emission mobility ecosystem. The masterplan integrates e-scooter services and Careem bike-sharing, alongside a direct connection to the Dubai Metro — giving residents and workers access to more than 60 stations across the emirate.
Al Khatib emphasised that the plan prioritises walkability and climate comfort, with active mobility options designed to cut travel times and improve air quality across the community.
Key Projects Driving the Overhaul
Several major developments anchor the new Expo City Dubai masterplan:
- AED 1.75 billion mixed-use project — a joint venture between Aldar and Expo City Dubai, comprising six buildings near the Dubai Exhibition Centre, integrating residential, office, and retail space. - DP World global headquarters — a 301,940 sq ft facility at Expo City set to house 850 staff and welcome 2,000 visitors daily upon completion in 2027. - Dubai Exhibition Centre expansion — increasing the venue's capacity to serve the growing economic and events ecosystem in the district.
Aligning With Dubai's 2040 Urban Vision
The updated masterplan positions Expo City as a central node in the Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan — a city-wide strategy aimed at making Dubai more walkable, liveable, and sustainable. The plan reinforces Expo City's role as a model for innovation-led urban development, lower ecological impact, and improved connectivity across the emirate.
The shift underscores Expo City Dubai's commitment to balancing practical urban needs with its founding values of sustainability, innovation, and a superior quality of life.
