Masterplan sets out 'prototype for future cities'

WORLD Expos are evolving from temporary spectacles into showcases for lasting urban legacies, a transformation demonstrated by Expo 2020 Dubai's transition into Expo City Dubai.

- By BINA GOVEAS

Building on this new standard, Expo 2030 in Saudi Arabia aims to push the model even further. German architectural firm LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture) has unveiled a masterplan for Expo 2030 Riyadh designed to create not just a repurposed district, but a fully integrated Global Village and a living blueprint for sustainable, future cities.

Last month, LAVA unveiled the concept masterplan for Expo 2030 Riyadh. This follows the recent endorsement of the Registration Dossier by the Bureau International des Expositions and the launch of the Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC). The ERC is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and was created to build and operate the facilities for Saudi Arabia's first World Expo.

The Saudi government has allocated $7.8 billion for Expo 2030 Riyadh, which is set to run from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, with its overarching theme being "Foresight for Tomorrow". The world-class event is expected to welcome over 40 million visits and over one billion digital visits via a metaverse platform. More than 200 countries and international organisations are anticipated to participate in the six-month showcase.

The masterplan for Expo 2030 Riyadh covers an area of 6 million sq m, making it one of the biggest World Expo sites. The Expo will be hosted on a purpose-built site to the north of the city, with a gated area covering approximately 2 million sq m that has been designed to deliver an immersive and intelligent visitor experience.

The masterplan for Expo 2030 Riyadh covers an area of 6 million sq m, making it one of the biggest World Expo sites