Expo 2020 Dubai started three days ago, and today -the 4th of October, 2021- is World Architecture Day. Established by the International Union of Architects (UIA) back in 1985 to be held on the first Monday in October, this year’s theme of the World Architecture Day a “Clean Environment for a Healthy World” and it aims to address issues involving housing, public spaces, and the environment, and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected these issues.
In line with World Architecture Day, Expo 2020 Dubai is hosting the ‘Climate and Biodiversity Week’ as the first of the Expo’s nine thematic weeks. Expo’s first Theme Week – in association with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and DP World, Global Trade Partner of Expo 2020 – aims to generate new ideas, inspire different perspectives and build a clear roadmap towards immediate action.
Sustainability is a core concept for Expo 2020 Dubai. The World Expo’s master plan created by HOK takes the form of three petals that represent the three Thematic Districts of the Expo. These Thematic Districts, designed by Hopkins Architects, follow the three core themes of the international event: Sustainability, Opportunity, and Mobility.
Courtesy of HOK
In the light of sustainability, climate change is seen as a crisis that has been troubling the world since the industrial revolution and the rapid development in the manufacturing fields, including construction. The United Nations Environment Program estimates cities are responsible for 75 percent of global CO2 emissions, with transport and buildings the largest industries.
“Architects are equipped to respond to the complex challenges of the built environment,” the UIA said in a statement.
The International Union of Architects’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mission is, as well, part of Expo 2020 Dubai’s plans. The World Expo and the United Nations Global Compact collaborated to plan for a Sustainable Development Goals Business Forum during Expo’s Global Goals Week that will run from January 16 till January 22.
Courtesy of the UN
“From recycling to promoting natural solutions, we hope to inspire others to reaffirm their commitment to the environment and protecting the Earth for future generations. All of our actions are geared towards creating positive environmental impacts on a national, regional, and global scale, and support the Dubai Plan 2021, UAE Vision 2021, and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
There is a pavilion dedicated to Sustainability at Expo 2020 Dubai. The Sustainability Pavilion, designed by Grimshaw Architects, conveys a notion of the impact of human activities on the environment. It acts as an operations center inspired by nature; capturing energy and fresh water from its environmental context.
Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai – Courtesy of Expo 2020 Dubai
Moreover, Expo 2020 Dubai is working on the following solutions to minimize the human’s impact on the environment:
- Generating clean energy
- Reducing water consumption
- Promoting natural solutions
- Minimizing our carbon footprint
- Ensuring sustainable events and operations management
- Using sustainable building materials
- Reducing waste
- Encouraging sustainable tourism
Check this Expo 2020 Dubai Talk Regarding Global Goals
Nadia Verjee, Chief of Staff, Programme for People and Planet, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Now, more than any time in human history, it is essential we give our undivided attention to protecting our planet for future generations. For us to succeed, these crucial issues must be addressed by initiating a two-way conversation – bridging people-centered grassroots ‘bottom-up’ approaches, with high-level policy and partnership initiatives.
“As the world witnesses more frequent and intense extreme weather events, putting billions of people at immediate risk, fighting climate change has become a moral obligation. This has been highlighted in a recent report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is nothing less than a code red for humanity.
The report warns that the continuous global warming and sea-level rise are triggering an increasing number of natural disasters, and emphasizes that dealing with this threat is urgent.”
-Eng Aisha Al Abdooli, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at MOCCAE
