Nearly a year ago the UAE won the right to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020, and now the master planners behind the original bid have been selected to design the host venue at the 438 acre (1.77sq km, 0.68sq m) Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali.

A consortium of HOK and Arup professionals has been merged to create the team behind the design of the 2020 host venue.

The two world-famous architecture and engineering firms were chosen following Dubai’s Expo bid, because of their “successful involvement” with the masterplan, a statement from the Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Preparatory Committee said. It was added that their detailed knowledge of the project, and relevant expertise on other mega events internationally, made the consortium a solid choice.

The 150ha Dubai Expo 2020 area will be surrounded by residential, hospitality and logistics zones, and will be able to accommodate up to 300,000 visitors. HOK-Arup will assist on most aspects of the site masterplan, including; development of building, pavilions, public realm and landscaping, urban design and engineering guidelines, spatial planning, sustainability practices, overlay, event operations and facilities management.

In a statement, HOK’s senior vice-president Daniel Hajjar, said: "Dubai Expo 2020 will ensure the site leaves behind an iconic legacy befitting of this truly generation-defining event."