Dubai Arena increases security ahead of Expo 2020

The Dubai Arena, which opened last summer, has increased its security ahead of the 2020 World Expo. The arena will increase the use of hostile vehicle mitigation measures – barriers, bollards and other blocking equipment to stop cars from attacking groups of pedestrians. The arena is situated in City Walk, a leisure and retail destination in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. It has a capacity of 17,000 and will host conferences, exhibitions and many other events. It is just one of many projects the emirate is completing in the lead up to this year’s World Expo in Dubai, which runs from October 2020 to April 2021, and will attract a predicted 25m visitors. The whole City Walk zone has been planned as a pedestrianised oasis, with no parking offered for the Dubai Arena’s regular paying punters who are being directed to alternative modes of transport than the car. Northern Ireland’s Environmental Street Furniture (ESF) won the contract for the safety equipment after much negotiation to install the PAS68 perimeter security bollards alongside more than 100 benches, tree protection, litter bins and cycle parking. The bollards form a highly visible security deterrent all in the same shroud so they all look identical, although different ratings and specifications were used dependent on specific threats and needs. ESF managing director Alan Lowry said: “A greater focus is being placed on perimeter security across the globe due to the increase of attacks, especially where large crowds gather. “We have been very fortunate to deliver a number of projects across the UAE in recent years with our street, themed and solar powered products, including IMG Worlds of Adventure, Warner Brothers Park and Global Village.  We are hopeful to continue that growth throughout the UAE and Middle East in the years ahead.”