Emaar Properties has signed a deal with Dubai World Central (DWC) to develop an integrated urban centre and golf destination within DWC.

Spread over an area of 13.63 million square metres, the project aims to meet the rising demand for luxury residences to accommodate the growing number of senior investors, executives and employees at DWC, which will be home to Expo 2020 and the Al-Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), a statement from the joint-venture partners said.

The first phase of the development will include a golf-course villa community, several hotels, a high-end shopping mall, leisure attractions and a business hub that promotes youth entrepreneurship.

The scheme, which is the first to be announced following the UAE’s World Expo 2020 win, is being developed in line with the theme of the Expo - ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and its three subthemes, ‘Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity.’

“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,” said Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties.

“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.”

The masterplan for the joint-venture project is currently being finalised.