Coming up next: 15 megaprojects in the UAE

AIN DUBAI: It's the world’s tallest observation wheel. The first visitors will be able to take up a spot on 'Ain Dubai' some time just ahead of the Expo 2020’s opening date on October 20, 2020. And they can get a bird’s eye view of the city from a height of 250 metres.

BURJ JUMEIRA: This new super-skyscraper will be located in Dubai's Al Sufouh district. The main tower’s design is inspired by the harmonious ripples of the country’s desert sand dunes, as well as its flowing oases. The centerpiece will stand 550 metres tall. It will have multiple observation decks, and offer unrivalled 360-degree views of Dubai’s landscape.

DISTRICT 2020: This is the sprawling Expo 2020 Dubai venue. The district will that ensure the legacy will live long after the Dubai Expo 2020 ends on April 10, 2021. Linked by a new Dubai Metro line, District 2020 has been carefully planned to support the UAE’s future vision by enabling sustainable economic development, moving towards an innovation-driven economy and creating a business environment that directly encourages progress within key growth industries.

DUBAI CREEK TOWER, taller than Burj Khalifa: Dubai Creek Harbour is 6-sq-km development that will also feature the Dubai Creek Tower, which will be taller than the 828-metre Burj Khalifa tower when completed. The master development will also have hotels, green parks and gardens, cultural attractions, canals, pedestrian walkways, cycle paths, city bus routes and two Dubai Metro links.

CENTREPIECE: Dubai Creek Tower is the centrepiece of the Dubai Creek Harbour. It is set to become the new, record-breaking, tallest building in the world and is envisioned to become the next global icon.

HATTA PUMPED HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT: The Dh1.44-billion Hatta hydroelectric power plant is the first of its kind in the region. With a 250 MW generating capacity, the hydro-electric power plant will use the rainwater in Hatta Dam, stored in an upper reservoir — using solar powered pumps — that will be built in the mountain. The water acts as a sort of battery: when water falls, electricity is generated. The water can be used over and over again. It will also help achieve the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy 2050 to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050.

With 192 countries confirmed to attend, the Expo 2020 Dubai will be a celebration of human brilliance and achievement. People connect from different corners of the world will connect, experience the best of art, culture, geography, science, technology, innovation and invention and set into motion millions of new thoughts and ideas that will make a lasting impact in our lives.

GUGGENHEIM ABU DHABI: The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi set to open in 2022, with permanent collections, exhibitions and educational programmes as well as borrowed pieces and visiting collections. It’s a logical addition to The Louvre Abu Dhabi — an art and civilization museum — and the Zayed National Museum. These destinations will pile up architectural wonders to the shores of Saadiyat Island. For its part, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will have 13,000 square metres of gallery space on four levels connected by glass bridges. The building will also include 11 cone-like structures with exhibition space and will serve as the center of modern art and education in Abu Dhabi.

ZAYED NATIONAL MUSEUM: The structure dedicated to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan — the founder of the UAE — both in design and content, the museum will provide a greater understanding of the history, culture and geography of the UAE. The museum's towers are shaped like falcon wings, designed as on ode to Sheikh Zayed's love of falconry.

HEART OF SHARJAH: It is dubbed as the largest historical preservation and restoration project in the region. Planned over a 15 year period, the Heart of Sharjah is expected to be completed by 2025. The project will feature diverse commercial, cultural and residential projects. It also aims to create tourist and trade destinations, including a boutique hotel, restaurants, retail shops, art galleries, traditional and contemporary markets, archaeological sites, museums, play areas, and commercial offices which will be placed in renovated old or ancient houses.

HYPERLOOP: The Hyperloop UAE is expected to "revolutionise" the Gulf region, as cities will be connected in minutes. It is envisioned to allow for land travel at super-fast speed: With the ability to go from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh in 48 minutes, and Riyadh to Jeddah in 46 minutes, and from there to Neom in 40 minutes, Hyperloop would just revolutionise this region.

JEWEL OF THE CREEK: This project sprawls over 125,675 square metres and includes hotels, residential towers and restaurants in addition to a man-made lake and a waterfront promenade and marina for 65 berths.

MOHAMMED BIN RASHID LIBRARY: Resembling an open book, the Dh1b Mohammed Bin Rashid Library covers 66,000 square metres. The seven-storey building located in Jaddaf, right on the edge of Dubai Creek is all set be the city’s latest cultural icon and landmark.

SOLAR PARK: Upon completion, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be the largest single-site solar park in the world, based on an independent power producer, IPP, model. It has a planned capacity of 5,000 MW in 2030 with investments of Dh50 billion. The 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be operational in April, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, revealed on Saturday.

MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE: This is a visionary cultural institution located near the Emirates Towers area on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Upon completion, it will also serve as an architectural landmark and prominent tourist destination.