Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh is gearing up to host the World Expo 2030 after being selected as the host city last year, defeating competitors like Italy and South Korea in the bidding process.
As the second World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Riyadh Expo 2030 is expected to be the biggest and most ambitious yet, presenting Saudi Arabia with an opportunity to highlight its progress and transformations to a global audience of hundreds of millions.
To be held under the thematic banner of ‘The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow’, Riyadh Expo 2030 will be held on a sprawling 6 million square metre site located in the north of Riyadh.
Riyadh Expo 2030 to see many emblematic country pavilions
Speaking to Arabian Business, ACCIONA Cultura’s Director of Institutional Relations Javier Arias revealed that the expansive site will feature almost 250 individual pavilions representing different countries, multilateral organisations, corporations and themes.
ACCIONA Cultura is a leading Spanish company specialising in exhibition design and architecture for World Expos and more.
“Without a doubt we will see many emblematic pavilions at the Riyadh Expo. Riyadh Expo 2030 will be a very special event and we will see truly unique architectural projects. As well as the integration of different technologies so that the visitor experience will be something unique and memorable,” Arias said.
Concept plans so far indicate several of the pavilions are envisioned as futuristic, environmentally sustainable structures built with innovative materials that seamlessly blend into the arid desert landscape.
As for the site, Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Riyadh City, unveiled the Riyadh Expo site in June, which is spherical in shape and an “equator” running through them, the authority said in a statement.
Country pavilions will be located based on their longitude, bringing north and south countries side by side to symbolise Saudi Arabia’s role in global cooperation. Walking routes between pavilions, spaces, and facilities will be short and smooth with shaded corridors inspired by Riyadh architecture, the statement said, adding that visitors can stroll through a modern green oasis located within Wadi As-Sulai, demonstrating commitment to nature.
Moreover, a landmark will be built in the centre representing the participating countries, with three pavilions surrounding the landmark under the themes ‘Prosperity for All’, ‘Climate Action’, and ‘A Different Tomorrow’.
In addition, the Collaborative Change Corner (C3) will drive innovation and creativity during the Expo and beyond, showcasing collaboration to shape the future.
In terms of sustainability, Arias revealed that it will form a core design principle across all Riyadh Expo 2030 infrastructure with a focus on energy efficiency and maximising the use of renewable power sources such as solar.
“Nowadays, regulations such as LEED are essential in any project that is undertaken. Expo 2030 is also already linked to the important development of Vision 2030 and what this implies in energy consumption and its production sources,” Arias said, adding that this strategy aligns with both UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as Saudi Vision 2030’s aims of diversifying the economy and building environmentally-friendly ‘smart’ cities.
Taking lessons from Expo 2020 Dubai
Saudi Arabia becomes the second Arab country to host a World Expo, with UAE being the first. Arias’ company was responsible for implementing 54 exhibition projects for Expo Dubai 2020, and the total exhibition space managed spanned 34,895 square metre.
Projects included 51 pavilions, six Biomimicry Micro-museums, and welcome desks/kiosks at airports and malls to sell tickets.
“This huge project portfolio included two of the biggest attractions of Expo 2020: Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion and the UAE Pavilion, the pavilion of the host country, which was developed in joint venture with Empty,” Arias said, adding that managing 54 projects, over 34,000 sqm of space, with over 20 subcontractors from 3 continents and 23 nationalities was a huge challenge.
When asked what lessons would be taken forward to Riyadh from the six-month event held in Dubai in 2021, Arias said that “the knowledge of the whole process is crucial to identify high-priority elements and milestones in order to meet the schedule. The process needs to be carried out always taking care of the Quality standards, the interrelations among the different disciplines and the sensitivity in the value add by each Participant, the true protagonists of the exhibition.
“When working for Expo projects we have always to go even further in the creative processes and the application of state-of-the-art technologies. The latest, the more innovative and creative projects are showcased in these events,” he added.
Once completed, the enormous scale of Riyadh Expo 2030 is expected to exceed all previous World Expos.
Milan Expo 2015 hosted over 21 million visitors while Dubai Expo 2020 saw over 24 million visitors, thanks to its additional virtual platforms – so Riyadh’s target represents nearly double current World Expo records, especially as the city will be home to the first World Expo Metaverse platform.
Over 40 million on-site visitors are projected to descend on the Kingdom’s capital over the event’s six month duration.
“The impact will be tremendous due to the important cultural and social exchange between all countries,” Arias said, adding that “for six months, Riyadh and Saudi Arabia will be the epicentre of the entire world.”
Massive economic and social impacts are forecast for Riyadh and Saudi Arabia with infrastructure investments already beginning, with jobs numbering in the tens of thousands. Long-term, the Expo aims to cement Riyadh as a regional intellectual and economic hub with new tourism, green energy and biotechnology sectors primed for take-off in its wake.
“The most important thing is to congratulate Saudi Arabia and Riyadh for having been chosen to organise Expo 2030 in the face of significant competition from other countries. Without doubt, the commitment of the Royal Family and the excellent work of the commission’s professionals who have made it possible is outstanding,” Arias said.
First glimpse inside Riyadh Expo 2030
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