![Apartment buildings with views of the main Expo site are due to be delivered in 2026](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4S6B5J42O5ASJBZZCZFUDA7J2I.png?smart=true&auth=fa3b0efd74bb97589d4bf9e251c201c189f50a9be57b082685688f6d4fa8067a&width=400&height=225)
![Work is under way at Expo City Dubai to transform the site into a residential community, with the Expo pavilions as a backdrop. All images: Expo City Dubai](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7V6TP5WTLBFLNNEULHISE635UI.png?smart=true&auth=d9b5bdb3c75508b006f4de3f7a3f8a00612ccace192fbeeae0751aff1ed99e1c&width=400&height=225)
![Expo Valley consists of more than 500 townhouses, three to four bedroom villas and high-end villas, built in a nature reserve](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OILQ4YSPBFAWPBT2PBVI2WEB6E.png?smart=true&auth=5ac80a16b2638f8624846e51c24071182b183dbc85d24030c5cdaa786f090459&width=400&height=225)
![The Expo Valley project is adjacent to the Expo site with villas, hiking trails and cycle paths](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y7MEG2HYZFJVDFP73Y4EWYUYU.png?smart=true&auth=03d8dd22c9f14c1c853c52f340414527249725a8736b6770ef5f71fe596f84de&width=400&height=225)
![Expo Valley is one of three residential projects due to be handed over in 2026](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KEI3UQIL4VA5RBUZXG6NMXWYAU.png?smart=true&auth=9e859a7201b8f0b82082c77dbfc6e1527ca3915426b136ecf8f3483fca5895b5&width=400&height=225)
![A rendering of the plan to build large villas with walking and hiking trails on the former Expo site](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IEGLWMPUEBA3VJQ7I5CW55C7ZU.png?smart=true&auth=887d830de54c234a5f3dc55a97e1430ca3c33bd918a6aaad1e7c86b9c88ec145&width=400&height=225)
![A first look at work to build apartments that will overlook the Surreal water feature and Al Wasl Dome](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4ZJ47AFG3NDO3G2GTH5WSWBRBU.png?smart=true&auth=4c7532a4ed36568385be258d3465cc4dfe7c9ee68e0199d470cbee6ecc2933e6&width=400&height=225)
![The residential project is part of the legacy masterplan of Expo 2020 Dubai where buildings are being constructed within the existing Expo infrastructure](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T33ZTQKEOJFFJF2EY2ZCPR7ALM.png?smart=true&auth=cf089958628adce69e1083cbe6387ad2fcebdbf8d836fdf8e61addbf511e04ee&width=400&height=225)
![The development is being dubbed as the country's first 15-minute city, where transport, entertainment, homes, restaurants and offices are a short walk or cycle ride away](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MK2RJ2NB7BGNZCLTZANDLJLGR4.png?smart=true&auth=a92011ceb2261e3d5a406bc35dc144ab3411c75b11a3bcd1954db78ac7ec0213&width=400&height=225)
![Access to the neighbourhood will remain open during construction](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q2NSUBLOH5B2PKIR4OQRQ4JYJ4.png?smart=true&auth=2dde2addc08337830b6b73cd2797f3ccb65bb6696670096c8370ca8089d34169&width=400&height=225)
![The plan for nature trails and walking and cycle paths incorporates a ‘folded earth’ concept, so the view is not blocked by buildings but covered by trees](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IW3YKUWHONE2NKLGADXZ2R45PU.png?smart=true&auth=8fef19b8ea1227fa9c406fa4ee500364db4c6342b757771139935a2524da8cfb&width=400&height=225)
![Expo pavilions in the background as mounds of earth are removed to lay the foundations for the residential project](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KJDBORF43VBPRNJA2PSLA6KFR4.png?smart=true&auth=93b4211e0202ddb64ae4324f33adf46ea63eaf2e46fbfca5d682b47cb7bfc3f9&width=400&height=225)
![A rendering of the buildings that will be at the heart of Expo City Dubai, about 100 metres from the main attractions](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7SJECUYIT5H6ZOULF5NI47KY3M.png?smart=true&auth=b47bc150d30ebc208e57fd234480cf84c85ac520e1ae2214bf01ffdf7e85358c&width=400&height=225)
![Construction areas have been cordoned off, with pathways and transport links remaining open for the international conferences and sports events that will continue to be held at Expo City Dubai](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4YQG6MTPIRH6BLJZZJGLX5Y2ZY.png?smart=true&auth=2a1931406fef28e5adee4e77efd1e1d102e06cc3dfd2b528622d2aa9156c33f2&width=400&height=225)
![A rendering of buildings overlooking the Garden in the Sky observation tower](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W3DPLIDZ2VGXZGPTAJBLLYM3SM.png?smart=true&auth=adc53759ca592decc2e0bbabde97e011f9e67f66d25334603127c8a9b75b9305&width=400&height=225)
![A panoramic view of the Expo site](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IE7EFM4CRFAZDLYMPCYSAKP37U.png?smart=true&auth=21774f6738794456848afcd8358c9d4d28e2139ac83400b86d3386a654d0a96c&width=400&height=225)
![Foundations being laid on the Expo City Dubai site](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6VHW3T3HRNBTPIVCWTFW4FGL3I.png?smart=true&auth=bb82f7c39a20566396d61c4f445af3c1c15bde1d3671839f1578b2ebc65f133c&width=400&height=225)
![The car-free zone will encourage a healthy lifestyle, say developers, with walking tracks, cycle paths and hiking trails planned](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q5OGSZPFKJHBLIIC664UIUEPRE.png?smart=true&auth=645228ac5fc6b31b92acc79d1dd0a1e2bef96f131aea5dea20f3b03e9f0d4e8b&width=400&height=225)
![Apartment buildings with views of the main Expo site are due to be delivered in 2026](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4S6B5J42O5ASJBZZCZFUDA7J2I.png?smart=true&auth=fa3b0efd74bb97589d4bf9e251c201c189f50a9be57b082685688f6d4fa8067a&width=400&height=225)
![Work is under way at Expo City Dubai to transform the site into a residential community, with the Expo pavilions as a backdrop. All images: Expo City Dubai](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7V6TP5WTLBFLNNEULHISE635UI.png?smart=true&auth=d9b5bdb3c75508b006f4de3f7a3f8a00612ccace192fbeeae0751aff1ed99e1c&width=400&height=225)
![Expo Valley consists of more than 500 townhouses, three to four bedroom villas and high-end villas, built in a nature reserve](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OILQ4YSPBFAWPBT2PBVI2WEB6E.png?smart=true&auth=5ac80a16b2638f8624846e51c24071182b183dbc85d24030c5cdaa786f090459&width=400&height=225)
![The Expo Valley project is adjacent to the Expo site with villas, hiking trails and cycle paths](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y7MEG2HYZFJVDFP73Y4EWYUYU.png?smart=true&auth=03d8dd22c9f14c1c853c52f340414527249725a8736b6770ef5f71fe596f84de&width=400&height=225)
![Expo Valley is one of three residential projects due to be handed over in 2026](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KEI3UQIL4VA5RBUZXG6NMXWYAU.png?smart=true&auth=9e859a7201b8f0b82082c77dbfc6e1527ca3915426b136ecf8f3483fca5895b5&width=400&height=225)
![A rendering of the plan to build large villas with walking and hiking trails on the former Expo site](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IEGLWMPUEBA3VJQ7I5CW55C7ZU.png?smart=true&auth=887d830de54c234a5f3dc55a97e1430ca3c33bd918a6aaad1e7c86b9c88ec145&width=400&height=225)
![A first look at work to build apartments that will overlook the Surreal water feature and Al Wasl Dome](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4ZJ47AFG3NDO3G2GTH5WSWBRBU.png?smart=true&auth=4c7532a4ed36568385be258d3465cc4dfe7c9ee68e0199d470cbee6ecc2933e6&width=400&height=225)
![The residential project is part of the legacy masterplan of Expo 2020 Dubai where buildings are being constructed within the existing Expo infrastructure](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T33ZTQKEOJFFJF2EY2ZCPR7ALM.png?smart=true&auth=cf089958628adce69e1083cbe6387ad2fcebdbf8d836fdf8e61addbf511e04ee&width=400&height=225)
![The development is being dubbed as the country's first 15-minute city, where transport, entertainment, homes, restaurants and offices are a short walk or cycle ride away](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MK2RJ2NB7BGNZCLTZANDLJLGR4.png?smart=true&auth=a92011ceb2261e3d5a406bc35dc144ab3411c75b11a3bcd1954db78ac7ec0213&width=400&height=225)
![Access to the neighbourhood will remain open during construction](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q2NSUBLOH5B2PKIR4OQRQ4JYJ4.png?smart=true&auth=2dde2addc08337830b6b73cd2797f3ccb65bb6696670096c8370ca8089d34169&width=400&height=225)
![The plan for nature trails and walking and cycle paths incorporates a ‘folded earth’ concept, so the view is not blocked by buildings but covered by trees](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IW3YKUWHONE2NKLGADXZ2R45PU.png?smart=true&auth=8fef19b8ea1227fa9c406fa4ee500364db4c6342b757771139935a2524da8cfb&width=400&height=225)
![Expo pavilions in the background as mounds of earth are removed to lay the foundations for the residential project](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KJDBORF43VBPRNJA2PSLA6KFR4.png?smart=true&auth=93b4211e0202ddb64ae4324f33adf46ea63eaf2e46fbfca5d682b47cb7bfc3f9&width=400&height=225)
![A rendering of the buildings that will be at the heart of Expo City Dubai, about 100 metres from the main attractions](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7SJECUYIT5H6ZOULF5NI47KY3M.png?smart=true&auth=b47bc150d30ebc208e57fd234480cf84c85ac520e1ae2214bf01ffdf7e85358c&width=400&height=225)
![Construction areas have been cordoned off, with pathways and transport links remaining open for the international conferences and sports events that will continue to be held at Expo City Dubai](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4YQG6MTPIRH6BLJZZJGLX5Y2ZY.png?smart=true&auth=2a1931406fef28e5adee4e77efd1e1d102e06cc3dfd2b528622d2aa9156c33f2&width=400&height=225)
![A rendering of buildings overlooking the Garden in the Sky observation tower](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W3DPLIDZ2VGXZGPTAJBLLYM3SM.png?smart=true&auth=adc53759ca592decc2e0bbabde97e011f9e67f66d25334603127c8a9b75b9305&width=400&height=225)
![A panoramic view of the Expo site](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IE7EFM4CRFAZDLYMPCYSAKP37U.png?smart=true&auth=21774f6738794456848afcd8358c9d4d28e2139ac83400b86d3386a654d0a96c&width=400&height=225)
![Foundations being laid on the Expo City Dubai site](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6VHW3T3HRNBTPIVCWTFW4FGL3I.png?smart=true&auth=bb82f7c39a20566396d61c4f445af3c1c15bde1d3671839f1578b2ebc65f133c&width=400&height=225)
![The car-free zone will encourage a healthy lifestyle, say developers, with walking tracks, cycle paths and hiking trails planned](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q5OGSZPFKJHBLIIC664UIUEPRE.png?smart=true&auth=645228ac5fc6b31b92acc79d1dd0a1e2bef96f131aea5dea20f3b03e9f0d4e8b&width=400&height=225)
![Apartment buildings with views of the main Expo site are due to be delivered in 2026](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4S6B5J42O5ASJBZZCZFUDA7J2I.png?smart=true&auth=fa3b0efd74bb97589d4bf9e251c201c189f50a9be57b082685688f6d4fa8067a&width=400&height=225)
Dubai laying foundations to build Expo site into UAE's first 15-minute city
Expo City Dubai authorities are set to announce new projects this year, with the first homes to be handed over in 2026
![Ramola Talwar Badam](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5ef0cfa3-a931-4bee-a429-a6e926cfab98.png?smart=true&auth=8bd0c965d9bb14cf66195518e8cc461c939674357be28fde76d5e3597d39b95d&width=70&height=70)
Ramola Talwar Badam
August 09, 2024
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