ExpoCity visit
Yesterday evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, I ventured into Expo City Dubai. Given it was a Sunday evening, I anticipated the joyful sights of couples strolling hand-in-hand and families with children, their laughter ringing out against the backdrop of this urban oasis. The landscape was bathed in light, and the cityscape's beauty was accentuated by the radiant glow emanating from the hundreds of large screens on building facades and within the metro, all operating at 100%. Greenery and trees thrived, watered regularly, creating a park-like atmosphere of unprecedented scale. Super-technological pavilions, multicolored kiosks, and various structures littered the area. Music wafted through the park, and the rental of scooters and bicycles was in full operation. All the elements for a vibrant, lively evening were in place.
Except for one glaring absence: there was no one there but me.
The massive pavilions of the Dubai Exhibition Center, boasting 40,000 sq.m., stood empty, devoid of any indication of future events. Al Wasl was dark, its fountains silent, the outdoor cinema off, tables and benches draped in cloth. It was as though all this beauty had been prepared for a grand spectacle, but the audience had forgotten to turn up.
I understand that it is the height of summer, but the main issue with #expocitydubai is the lack of a draw. There is no compelling reason for people to visit, and this is a significant concern for the government of Dubai.
Dead area risk:
There is a real risk that this vast area could turn into a ghost zone, much like the deserted shopping malls in the U.S:
Dead Molls
The Galleria at Erieview in Cleveland, Ohio;
The Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix, Arizona;
The Summit at Southdale in Edina, Minnesota
These malls became obsolete due to changing demographics, competition from online retailers, and poor management that failed to identify the population's needs and desires.
ExpoCity events
The timeline of events in this 438-hectare territory averages to about one event per month:
Exp City Events 2023 Expocity is striving not to die.
The notion of creating an attraction is what could save Expo City. The relocation of groups of office employees from Dubai companies, announced last month by Expo City, won't be enough. This artificial and unwanted displacement won't suffice.
There are exactly 3000 seating places in Al Wasl, which is just one building out of the 123 buildings in Expocity.
Solutions
Events could be a draw, but not just once a month as the Expo City management can manage. A strategy to attract event agencies, trade show organizers, MICE, conferences, corporate events, awards, and festivals is necessary. Such a strategy should incentivize a large number of event organizers to host their events in Expo City, rather than somewhere in downtown Dubai. This should involve stimulating and subsidizing organizers. Major Dubai companies should be offered pavilions for their corporate events and birthdays.
Diasporas concept
There's another strategy too: organizing diaspora language days for internal community networking (trust me, there is a lot of motivation within these groups to find friends, partners, employees, and romantic partners from their own language groups). In my last post, I made a table with 20 languages and would like to propose a concept to Expo City that could attract hundreds of people to the city every week.
Because there would be a point of attraction.
Picture this: vibrant community gatherings where people who share a common language come together, not just to celebrate their shared heritage, but to connect on a deeper level. They could find friends who understand their unique experiences, partners who share their ambitions, employees who can bring diverse perspectives to their businesses, and perhaps even meet their soulmates. Such gatherings would not just serve the community, but also breathe new life into the vast expanses of Expo City.
Imagine the energy and dynamism these events would bring. Each week, Expo City could become a focal point for a different language community. The echoes of diverse languages would reverberate through the parks, pavilions, and exhibition centers, bringing them to life. The aroma of authentic cuisines, the sound of traditional music, and the sight of cultural performances would transform Expo City into a global village, a melting pot of cultures.
It's not just about bringing people together; it's about creating an environment where these connections can flourish. The deserted pavilions and exhibition centers could serve as spaces for workshops, seminars, networking events, and cultural performances. Outdoor cinema could host film festivals showcasing movies from different cultures. The dormant fountains could be the backdrop to romantic encounters and family picnics.
Conclusion
I truly believe that this concept can revitalize Expo City, turning it from a ghost town into a bustling hub of cultural exchange and community engagement. This idea can provide the much-needed point of attraction that Expo City is currently lacking.
So, to the management of Expo City, I say this: our proposal is worth considering. We have a concept that not only fills your empty spaces but does so in a way that creates a sense of community, belonging, and vibrancy. It offers an opportunity to transform Expo City into a cultural landmark, a place where people don't just come to see the sights, but to experience the rich tapestry of global cultures and make meaningful connections.
Expo City has the potential to be so much more than an exhibition center. It could be a gathering place for people from all walks of life, a hub of cultural exchange, a beacon of community in an ever-globalizing world. It's time to step away from the ghost town narrative and write a new story for Expo City, one that resonates with the heartbeat of the global community.
Let's not let this beautiful space fade into obscurity. Let's transform it into a place that thrives with the vibrancy of life, a place that truly represents the spirit of Dubai. Let's make Expo City the heart of our global village.