The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has presented its $7.8 billion masterplan for Riyadh Expo 2030 in Paris to member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
The French-based global organization will eventually decide which city will host the next World Expo in 2030. Besides Riyadh, the other bidding cities include Rome (Italy) and Busan (South Korea).
At a reception organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh early this week, Saudi showcased its vision of the future as part of its bid to host the event. If successful, Riyadh Expo 2030 will take on the theme, “Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow”.
The Riyadh Expo 2030 site will be located near King Salman International Airport, another Saudi mega project currently in progress. It will be easily accessible to the millions of visitors expected to arrive in the capital once Saudi’s bid is confirmed.
Lamia bint Abdulaziz, a member of the team involved in planning Riyadh Expo 2030 told the BIE members present during the event that “The blueprint will work on developing a version of the Expo that is the most flexible when it comes to visitors’ movement, and the most interactive, collaborative, and sustainable ever, and we will make sure to provide an exceptional experience for visitors to the exhibition. We will also work on enabling full and balanced participation, and with added value for all participating countries, and we will provide an unprecedented experience of high quality for more than 40 million visitors.”
Read: Saudi Crown Prince to attend today’s Riyadh Expo 2030 host celebrations in Paris
Riyadh Expo 2030 site features unveiled
Featuring in the master plan will be a total of 226 exhibition pavilions surrounding a spherical shape and an equator line. Organizers say this is part of their plan to give equal opportunities to every expo participant as their location will be based on their geographical coordinates.
Thus, it will bring countries from the north to the south side by side, highlighting the Kingdom’s role in facilitating global cooperation.
Riyadh Expo 2030 was designed to facilitate ease of movement across the expo site, including between pavilions, public districts, cultural and performance areas as well as other facilities and amenities.
The plan includes fully shaded corridors inspired by Riyadh’s architectural heritage to make visitor journeys throughout the site easy and comfortable.
More importantly, the Riyadh Expo 2030 masterplan seeks to showcase the Saudi capital’s history, culture, and spirit as a growing global cosmopolitan city.
Sustainability on spotlight
Saudi Arabia’s leadership has previously expressed its goal to make Riyadh Expo 2030 the most sustainable and influential expo ever, as part of its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality.
Hence, sustainability will be in the spotlight in Riyadh Expo 2030, with the master plan linked to international sustainability standards. It considered green practices and sustainable concepts, including urban afforestation, the use of treated water, and the provision of new energy sources.
One of Riyadh Expo 2030 masterplan’s key features is a modern green oasis located within one of the tributaries of Wadi As-Sulai, a river that passes through the exhibition site, which will allow visitors to stroll leisurely through the site.
According to the organizers, this design feature affirms the commitment of Saudi Arabia and its capital city to preserving and sustainably developing nature.
In addition, a prominent landmark will be built at the heart of the main plan for Riyadh Expo 2030, symbolizing “Responsibility for Protecting the Planet.” It will feature 195 columns representing the number of countries participating in the exhibition.
Around this landmark, there will be three pavilions, each representing the exhibition’s sub-themes of “Prosperity for All,” “Climate Action,” and “A Different Tomorrow.”
The exhibition will also feature the Collaborative Change Corner (C3), an area that will showcase innovation and creativity initiatives in the Kingdom and around the world during the seven-year journey towards Riyadh Expo 2030, and beyond which will be part of the legacy plan for the event.
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