As Milan Expo opened to public on 01-May-15 for next 6 months, UAE has unveiled its stunning, sustainable & one of the largest pavilion at this world Expo. Thousands of visitors attended on the first day & the entire event is expecting a staggering 20 Million visitors. This is exciting & interesting together as Dubai has bagged the rights to hold Expo 2020, that falls five years from now. All eyes will be on Dubai & UAE, how they showcase their commitment to the same.

Milan Expo theme is ?Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life?. Keeping this in mind UAE intends to provide a very strong message that individuals can make a difference. In terms of tremendous growth over past 3-4 decades UAE faces enormous challenges. It has portrayed to show how as a nation they face & overcome these challenges. Despite receiving scanty rainfall they have turned desert into lush green landscapes. This is a big opportunity to show the visitors who the UAE is & how they have developed.

UAE pavilion? theme is Food for Thought-Shaping & Sharing the future.

I quote the concept below, ?The UAE Pavilion explores the very real challenges that arise in feeding the planet, particularly in the interwoven topics of land, food, energy and water. It also highlights some of the innovative solutions that the UAE has developed in these areas. Solutions have been arrived at based on a local need but they have a very real global benefit since many parts of the world will be experiencing the same difficulties as the Emirates due to spiralling demand and the effects of climate change. By sharing knowledge and resources, the UAE is truly helping to shape the future. 

Traditional culture and the values that it inspires, the warmth and hospitality of Emiratis, the conviviality of food and a media-rich immersive environment combine to provide an experience that will be fun, emotional, challenging and thought provoking. Our ultimate aim is not only to educate and engage but to inspire commitment to change.

Visitors can also find out about the UAE?s exciting plans to host the next World Expo in 2020, as well as interact with pioneering UAE companies, organisations and thought leaders through a series of permanent exhibitions, seminars and events.?

[Source http://www.expo2015.org/en/learn-more]

The whole of the UAE pavilion has been designed keeping in view the sustainability aspect. Bringing the planning principles of the traditional desert city to Milan, the pavilion?s interior of self-shaded streets evokes the experience of the UAE?s ancient communities, while demonstrating the natural energy efficiency of their compact urban form. The pavilion occupies a large site close to the centre of the Expo and is accessed via its main circulation axis, the decumanus. From here, visitors are drawn into the mouth of a canyon-like space, defined by two undulating 12-metre-high walls. Influenced by ancient planning principles, the paths through the pavilion evoke the narrow pedestrian streets and courtyards of the ancient desert city.

[Source: http://aasarchitecture.com/2014/01/uae-pavilion-expo-2015-by-foster-partners.html ]

Normally, all the pavilions are dismantled & disposed at the site but UAE pavilion at Milan will be dismantled & shipped back to UAE. It will be reassembled at the Masdar City in the Abu Dhabi, truly reflecting the sustainability principles.

More readings may be done at:

http://nmc.gov.ae/en/Lists/NMC%20News/Display.aspx?ID=85

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/biz/inside.asp?xfile=/data/uaebusiness/2015/May/uaebusiness_May18.xml&section=uaebusiness

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-pavilion-at-milan-expo-proves-a-culture-club

Pics courtsey: The National, WAM.