Dubai: Emaar Properties on Wednesday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai World Central (DWC) to develop an integrated urban centre and golf destination in a prime location at Dubai World Central, the home to Expo 2020 and the Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA).

The MoU was signed by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Mohammad Al Abbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties.

The new development reflects the need for more strategic projects that can meet the growing demand for luxury residences resulting from the ongoing increase in the number of senior investors, executives and employees at Dubai World Central.

The first of the key infrastructure development projects to be announced following the UAE’s winning of the World Expo 2020 hosting bid, the DWC-Emaar joint venture project is being developed in line with the theme of the Expo - ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and its three subthemes - ‘Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity.’

The development is spread over an area of 13.63 million square metres with the first phase of the project to include a golf-course villa community, several hotels, a high-end shopping mall, leisure attractions, and a business hub that promotes youth entrepreneurship.

Shaikh Ahmad said: “Through the joint venture, we look forward to benefit from Emaar’s specialisation and experience that they have demonstrated to create truly world-class projects. In the coming future, Dubai World Central will witness several new projects to build an integrated city. Dubai is now focused on building world-class infrastructure to ensure that we deliver the promise of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to host the best Expo the world has witnessed.”

Khalifa Al Zafein, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, added: “Dubai World Central is committed to delivering the vision of the UAE’s leadership to astonish the world through the World Expo 2020. A master-planned lifestyle community is central to our development approach, whereby we are creating elegant living spaces for Dubai’s residents and visitors. The new lifestyle development in Dubai World Central will be a significant addition to the city’s residential, retail and hospitality infrastructure.”

Al Abbar said: “We are thankful to the Dubai Government and the Dubai Aviation City Corporation for the opportunity to be part of the ambitious developments that will fully equip our city to host the World Expo 2020. Expected to welcome more than 25 million visitors during the six-month period, it is important that the city further builds its retail, hospitality and residential facilities to meet the anticipated demand. With a number of hotels and retail choices, in addition to a dedicated villa community set around a golf course, the new development will be another sterling addition to Dubai’s mega-developments for the future.”

“We are now realising our dream of delivering the world’s best airport city. In 2013, the AMIA opened its passenger services linking them with successful cargo and logistics services; the Dubai Airshow was held at DWC; and the Expo 2020 will also have its home at DWC. Many international companies have also set up operations at DWC. The Urban Centre & Golf District is further proof that DWC is shaping up the world’s foremost aerotropolis,” said Rashed Buqara’a, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation.

The masterplan for the joint venture project is currently being finalised. The key considerations in the design and construction of the development will be sustainability, one of the subthemes of the World Expo 2020. Energy-efficient building technologies will be integrated into project development, and green building practices followed.

Providing unmatched ‘Mobility’ to residents, the planned transport infrastructure will give easy access to Al Maktoum International Airport, which has the capacity to handle 160 million passengers annually. The new project will also create several business opportunities for youth entrepreneurs and diverse businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector.