_Dubai to hit new achievements by 2020 | 2020 Vision

In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s recent Global Liveability Report, which ranks 140 cities according to their quality of life-based on factors including stability, healthcare, culture and the environment, Dubai was one of the world’s most improved cities in the last five years.

This will come as no surprise to the 217 nationalities who, according to Dubai Land Department, invested in its property market in the 18 months to June 2017, making it the world’s most diverse city in those terms. 

Similarly, the Mercer Quality of Living Survey, aimed at governments and major companies who assign employees overseas, placed Dubai at the top of its list for cities across the Middle East and Africa. Dubai’s location as an air route crossroads between Asia, Africa, Europe and India has helped make it a global hub and top tourist destination. 

Dubai Airport welcomed 83.6 million passengers in 2016, making it the world’s third busiest. Dubai’s strategic location means a third of the world is accessible within four hours and two-thirds of the world within eight hours. As a result, wealthy individuals are increasingly looking to visit or buy homes there. 

Although Dubai’s upward trajectory on the world’s ‘liveable cities’ rankings will come as no surprise to anyone who lives there, perhaps the emirate’s greatest single source of pride and sense of achievement so far was the Bureau International des Expositions’ decision to award the Expo 2020 to Dubai.

Making it the first city in the Middle East and Africa to receive such an accolade. No expense has been spared in building a fitting stage to highlight Dubai’s many technological innovations. The 438-hectare site features three separate pavilions symbolising opportunity, sustainability and mobility, with an ‘innovation pods’ thematic zone. 

Designed by the global design, architecture and engineering firm HOK, the Dubai World Expo is predicted to attract some 25 million visitors to the city and wider UAE.