Nadia Verjee: How Dubai's Legacy Project Became a Living City

Nadia Verjee, Executive Director at Expo City Dubai and former Chief of Staff of Expo 2020 Dubai, whose career has spanned mega-events, global collaboration, and civic storytelling, joins us on The Century of Cities to reflect on the extraordinary task of coordinating 192 nations during a global pandemic. She shares how Expo 2020 became a moment of connection, trust, and shared imagination, sparking the ongoing legacy of Expo City Dubai. As Nadia explains, Dubai isn't just imagining a sustainable future, it's building one from the ground up. With 75,000 people expected to live and work in Expo City, the district is becoming a working model for climate adaptation, pedestrian-first planning, and green tech innovation. Certified as the world's first WELL and LEED-accredited urban district, Expo City is pioneering Dubai's broader walkability ambitions and hosting global events that advance conversations on resilience, equity, and urban innovation. For anyone curious about cities built with care and purpose, Nadia offers a rare glimpse into what it means to shape something truly meaningful for the world.