Nadia Verjee, Executive Director of Expo City Dubai, has emphasized the potential for collaboration between India and the UAE on sustainable urban development, highlighting the importance of sharing best practices across global platforms.
Speaking to Hindustan Times during the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Verjee described Expo City Dubai as an “urban lab” addressing modern urban challenges such as population growth, traffic congestion, and climate change. The 4.38 square km site—originally built for World Expo 2020—now functions as a testbed for innovative urban solutions and recently hosted the COP28 climate summit.
A Vision for the Future of Expo City Dubai
Verjee outlined the long-term vision behind Expo City, which began with a successful bid to host the World Expo in 2011. With Dubai’s population expected to double by 2040, the site was designed to seamlessly integrate into the city’s broader growth strategy.
“When we first looked out, there was just the desert and one Ghaf tree,” Verjee recalled. Today, the site is positioned along key transport corridors, including Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port, and is directly connected to Dubai’s Metro network.
The multipurpose development will soon welcome residents and features a diverse ecosystem of top companies, SMEs, and real estate firms.
Sustainability at the Core
Verjee emphasized that Expo City is not just a futuristic hub but also a model of sustainability.
“Our infrastructure allows us to test solutions,” she said, highlighting initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Expo City has implemented 131 sustainability metrics to monitor urban health and serves as a model for cities worldwide, especially in the Global South.
Worker Welfare and Inclusive Growth
Addressing concerns about worker welfare—a long-standing issue in Gulf megaprojects—Verjee highlighted Expo City’s commitment to raising labor standards.
“At the core are the people who built it—the hundreds of thousands of blue-collar workers,” she said, describing how contractors were required to adhere to strict worker welfare regulations, including health and safety measures and connectivity to their families.
As a symbol of appreciation, Expo City has inscribed the names of every worker on a dedicated monument.
Addressing Affordable Housing
While Expo City’s residential offerings are not classified as affordable housing, Verjee pointed to nearby areas such as Expo Village that offer more accessible price points. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is also leading efforts to develop affordable housing near Metro stations, reducing traffic congestion from commuter-heavy cities like Sharjah.
Additionally, Dubai is pursuing an ambitious walkable city initiative that aims to enhance pedestrian and non-motorized transport options across the city.
“Dubai is not 100% there yet. We’re a work in progress,” Verjee acknowledged, highlighting air pollution and climate change as ongoing challenges.
Comparisons with Saudi Arabia’s Neom
When asked to compare Expo City Dubai with Saudi Arabia’s Neom, another ambitious greenfield megaproject, Verjee distinguished their scale and purpose.
“Nine out of ten charter cities are emerging in the MEASA region. Each has unique frameworks for governance, technology, and community engagement,” she explained.
India’s Role in Shaping Global Urban Futures
Verjee believes that Indian cities have much to offer the global conversation on urbanization.
“Urbanization in India will shape global futures. The diversity of your cities—from cultural and historical hubs to technological centers—deserves greater representation on global platforms,” she noted.
She also stressed the need for a data-driven approach to urban governance, where artificial intelligence (AI) and public sentiment data can guide decisions on issues like crime prevention, traffic management, and women’s safety.
“If you tackle one intervention right using data, you can address many others,” she said, emphasizing the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in building sustainable and inclusive cities.
