Expo City Dubai master plan pre-certified in two globally recognised social and environmental sustainability systems
Pre-certification for LEED Platinum Cities and Communities and WELL Community
Demonstrates commitment to pioneer sustainable development through master plan
Strong demand for Expo City developments reaffirms role in driving Dubai's growth
DUBAI – The Expo City Dubai master plan 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, maximising social, environmental and economic impact, and advancing international best practice in the region.
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. LEED is the most widely used 'green' rating system in the world for real estate and the urban environment. 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 (MENA) region to achieve this combination of pre-certifications and first in the region to achieve WELL Community pre-certification. The achievements, announced at the Cities in Action Forum taking place from 6-7 February, exemplify the city's commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable and equitable community for tenants, visitors and future residents and enhance its appeal to investors and developers.
Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer, Expo City Dubai, said: 'Expo City's master plan is rooted in the principles of sustainable development, and we are proud to have this commitment globally recognised as we push forward on the master plan's delivery. Our pre-certification in LEED and WELL community standards shows we are on track to meet our ambitious targets and reinforces our city's robust position as a new urban centre at the heart of Dubai's growth corridor.
'The unique offering of our city – a vibrant, nurturing community where people connect, thrive and live in harmony with nature – is reflected in the incredible demand for every Expo City Dubai real estate project launched, including commercial leasing, residential developments and plots for sale.'
The pre-certifications underscore the unparalleled opportunity offered by Expo City's forward-thinking, people- and environment-focused master plan that takes advantage of its prime location and world-class connectivity. 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 master plan 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; reducing 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.
LEED Cities and Communities, managed by the US Green Building Council, addresses various factors that contribute to quality of life, including natural systems, energy, water, waste and transportation, as well as optimising the operational aspects of a city through its design. Pre-certification is granted based on Expo City's master plan information and associated data. Expo City Dubai, including Dubai Exhibition Centre and Expo Village, is already home to 123 LEED-certified buildings, and the master plan 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.
Reaffirming its role as a focal point on the 2040 Urban Master Plan as it becomes a hub for key sectors driving the delivery of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), Expo City will cover a total of 3.5sqkm, embracing a gradual phased development that will adapt to evolving needs and eventually welcome around 35,000 residents and 40,000 professionals.
About Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai, the legacy city of Expo 2020 Dubai, is an innovation-driven, people-centric community rooted in the belief that collaboration can propel sustainable progress. Its prime location and world-class connectivity place it at the centre of Dubai's future – the lynchpin between Dubai Exhibition Centre, Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port and a key driver of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33)
A world-class free zone, it is home to a thriving business community that supports cross-sector collaboration and provides a springboard for businesses of all sizes to scale and grow, enhancing Dubai's position as a global centre of trade and reinforcing the UAE's development and diversification ambitions
Its residential communities redefine urban living, exemplifying best practice in innovative, environment-friendly design with a focus on wellbeing and happiness
An incubator for innovation, it is a testbed for solutions and a platform for groundbreaking ideas that benefit both people and the planet
Packed with educational, cultural and entertainment offerings, with more than 30 indoor and outdoor venues attracting globally significant events, it celebrates human creativity and ingenuity and inspires future generations
Designed as a blueprint for sustainable urban living and one of five hubs on the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, its roadmap to achieving net zero by 2050 and its broader decarbonisation targets raise the bar on responsible urban development
For media enquiries, please contact press.office@expocitydubai.ae
twitter.com/ExpoCityDubai
facebook.com/ExpoCityDubai
instagram.com/ExpoCityDubai
youtube.com/@theExpoCityDubai
linkedin.com/company/expocitydubai/
tiktok.com/@expocitydubai
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Emirates Woman
16 hours ago
- Emirates Woman
Lumena by Omniyat is the newest architectural wonder set to redefine workspaces in Dubai
Meet Lumena by OMNIYAT—the city's newest ultra-luxury commercial development and co-working space. Fresh off the success of Enara's headline-making debut, OMNIYAT has recently unveiled its most ambitious commercial statement yet: a 48-storey sculptural tower designed to be more than a workplace. With a targeted completion in 2029, Lumena is imagined as an icon of spatial innovation and biophilic design set to add to the Dubai skyline views and pave the way for future-forward ways of working. 'Lumena is the future of commercial real estate in Dubai. With its location, design, and integrated amenities, we are creating a new paradigm for commercial real estate that aligns with how the next generation of leaders wants to work and live. Leveraging technology, innovation, and future-proof design, LUMENA's sculpted form reflects both architectural brilliance and the effortless flow of ideas, ambition, and enterprise. This exceptional project reflects OMNIYAT's ongoing commitment to shaping the commercial landmarks of tomorrow,' says Mahdi Amjad, Founder and Executive Chairman at OMNIYAT. Architecturally, Lumena is striking with its slender profile featuring cantilevered forms and a multi-faceted facade. Inside, 91 meticulously designed shell-and-core office units, from full floors to boutique-scale spaces, offer flexible formats flooded with light and panoramic views. Natural materials, double-height glazing, and subtle textural cues bring an understated calm to the corporate domain. But what truly sets Lumena apart is its curation of amenities that rival luxury hotels. From the private-access Executive Club and Sky Pool to the wellness suite and Sky Theatre – a first for a commercial tower in Dubai – the environment is human-centric and the experience is anything but conventional. Concierge services extend to lifestyle bookings, wellness support, and even private shopping. Technologically, the tower is targeted to achieve Platinum status certifications across LEED, WELL Building™, WiredScore, and SmartScore, to make Lumena a global benchmark for sustainability and smart design. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Arabian Post
Cushman & Wakefield Greater China Secures Three Five‑Star Accolades
Cushman & Wakefield Greater China has been honoured with three five‑star awards at the 2025 Asia Pacific Property Awards, recognising its excellence in commercial real estate services across the region. The firm also received an additional 'Award Winner' designation, strengthening its regional leadership credentials. Judged by an expert panel comprising property professionals, these awards are regarded as one of the industry's most prestigious marks of quality, celebrating superior standards in real estate strategy, management and client service. The honoured categories include high‑profile segments such as office leasing, property consultancy and sustainable urban development—areas where the firm demonstrated remarkable performance in Greater China. Stakeholders report that its holistic approach, blending quantitative analytics with qualitative client engagement, distinguished the company in these assessments. ADVERTISEMENT The Asia Pacific Property Awards form part of the broader International Property Awards framework, which includes 2025 regional recognition events held across Asia Pacific. Awardees must first succeed at a national level before being advanced to regional contention. Judges evaluate entries by following strict criteria that include innovation, design, execution, and a clear demonstration of sustainable development goals. Cushman & Wakefield Greater China's award-winning projects drew favourable attention across multiple independent assessments this year. One of its flagship initiatives showcased a redevelopment strategy that revitalised a class‑A office building in Shanghai's Puxi district, featuring tenant‑centric amenities and energy‑efficiency retrofits surpassing local regulatory standards. Observers lauded the project as 'a benchmark in adaptive reuse and tenant wellbeing.' Several market analysts note that this recognition aligns with Cushman & Wakefield's recent push into sustainability consultancy within China's tier‑1 cities. Data from real estate advisory firm JLL indicates demand for green certifications such as LEED and China's Three-Star rating system has grown by over 20 per cent in prime office space leasing inquiries in Shanghai and Beijing over the past year. Cushman & Wakefield has positioned itself to capitalise on this trend through integrated valuation and ESG advisory services. The firm's success reflects broader shifts in Greater China's commercial real estate landscape. As occupier priorities pivot toward hybrid work models and employee wellness, landlords are increasingly investing in flexible spaces, enhanced air quality systems and digital infrastructure—areas where Cushman & Wakefield's consulting practice claims to offer a competitive edge. Industry insiders credit the firm's cross-border research capabilities and its network of regional specialists for facilitating this adaptability. Leadership within the company emphasises the role of strategic partnerships in bolstering service quality. According to senior executives, collaborations with local tech providers have expanded the firm's data analytics offerings, enabling real‑time occupancy tracking and predictive maintenance solutions. These capabilities, they say, underpin their award‑winning performance across multiple project categories. In addition to commercial leasing and consultancy, the firm also asserted itself in urban planning and precinct‑level developments. One notable project in Guangzhou integrated smart‑city planning elements—such as IoT‑enabled energy systems and occupant behavioural analytics—to optimise building usage and sustainability outcomes. Judges reportedly commended this project for its forward‑looking design and measurable impact on environmental performance. Competitors in the same categories included both global real estate consultancies and prominent domestic players. While these firms have likewise embraced ESG frameworks and smart building solutions, Cushman & Wakefield's depth of data‑driven insight and regional footprint reportedly gave it a distinct advantage in the judges' evaluations. The multiple awards underscore a trajectory in which the firm continues to harness innovation, sustainability and client experience as pillars of growth. Cushman & Wakefield Greater China plans to replicate its award‑winning models across emerging urban centres, with an emphasis on Tier‑2 cities like Chengdu and Wuhan—where demand for high‑quality commercial assets is rising amid urbanisation and regional economic diversification.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Blue Line 'writing new chapter' in Dubai's real estate boom
Dubai Metro's Blue Line is having a profound positive impact on the emirate's real estate market, reshaping the real estate investments map and writing a new chapter in the city's real estate boom, said a leading Dubai-based real estate brokerage W Capital. In an in-depth analysis of the project, W Capital stated that the new Blue Line was in the heart of the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 framework, which aims to enhance urban sustainability, improve quality of life, and support transportation infrastructure. This will directly impact vital economic sectors, most notably the real estate sector, it stated. The project will cover areas of high strategic importance, including Al Warqaa, Mirdif and Dubai Academic City, and will reach Jebel Ali Port via Dubai International Airport. This extensive coverage will contribute to connecting new residential communities to existing economic centers, stimulating the growth of mid-market and emerging neighborhoods and transforming them into attractive investment destinations, said the statement. W Capital pointed out that the establishment of a metro station near any area often leads to an immediate increase in surrounding property prices by 15 to 25%, boosting rents and demand in the medium and long term. "The Dubai Metro Blue Line project is not just a new means of transportation; it is a true economic and development engine that will reshape the real estate investment map in the emirate," remarked its CEO Walid Al Zarooni. "We have already noticed early investor activities, especially in areas such as Al Warqa, Dubai Academic City, and the vicinity of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, where demand for land and residential units has increased by more than 30% compared to last year," he stated. "These areas, which were previously considered relatively remote suburbs, are now the focus of investors interest due to their proximity to major metro stations, giving them a significant competitive advantage," he added. Al Zarooni pointed out the importance of proactive thinking in real estate investment. "We at W Capital encourage investors to make decisions based on a future vision, not just current conditions. Investing in areas connected to metro stations now, before the project is completed, gives investors the opportunity to benefit from value growth over time," he noted. "Similar examples existed with the launch of the Red and Green Lines previously, where we witnessed significant price increases once the stations were operational," he added. Al Zarooni said one of the most important transformations to be witnessed in the next few years is the market's move toward real estate decentralisation. "Instead of being concentrated in specific areas such as the city center, real estate distribution will begin to spread towards new hubs created by infrastructure projects, most notably the Blue Line," he explained. "This shift will not only reduce pressure on overcrowded areas, but will also create real opportunities for developers of medium-cost projects and contribute to providing diverse housing solutions that meet the needs of a wider segment of the population," he added. According to him, the Blue Line project represents a new phase of Dubai's smart urban transformation whose impact will not only improve mobility but also transform investment patterns and population and real estate distribution. "Investors must take advantage of this pivotal phase and adopt long term plans in line with Dubai's future development trends," he added.
