District 2020 to prioritise community wellbeing and health

Dubai: The future site of Expo 2020 Dubai will place people at the heart of its master plan, ensuring District 2020 is a human-centric living and working space. It is the first community in the region to be registered under the WELL Community Standard pilot – a district scale rating system that sets a benchmark for healthy communities.

Some of the conveniences that mark wellness in the master plan are pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, parks, healthy food and beverage options, low-rise buildings, a low-carbon-emission environment and much more, all executed with sustainability in mind.

Developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the WELL Community Standard rubric recognises communities that prioritise ten concepts for the health and wellbeing of all inhabitants:

Following registration, the smart city will undergo a series of tests and validation procedures by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) on behalf of the IWBI.

The third-party certification body will assess the wellness features in place before officially certifying the smart ecosystem, Expo’s lasting legacy, a WELL Community.

Take a look at the planned amenities and facilities that the urban community has to offer its workers and residents:

Going forward, District 2020 aims to become a blueprint for all the future smart cities in planning, offering a benchmark that ensures a holistic and balanced lifestyle for community members.

When Expo 2020 Dubai closes its doors on March 31, 2022, the smart urban community will welcome tenants, workers and residents from October 2022 onward.

- The writer is an intern with Gulf News.