Presenting a host of human-centric and future-forward showcases, Dubai Design Week is this year looking into the future of design by bringing an engaging line-up of exhibitions that will highlight the region’s creative talent.

Featured in the heart of d3, MENA Grad Show returns for its second edition to showcase more than 50 of the region’s most innovative ideas and solutions to make the world a better place in the fields of technology, science and design. The exhibition will feature the work of bright young minds coming out of the region’s leading universities, addressing issues ranging from desertification and accessibility through to child nutrition and waste management.

MENA Grad Show is an initiative of Global Grad Show, which this year has had a record amount of applications from 470 universities in 70 countries. The international programme will launch its online exhibition of the best social impact innovations created by university graduates on 8 November.

In a multi-media showcase dedicated to architecture with a human-centric approach, the 2040: d3 Architecture Exhibition will feature five architectural firms presenting concepts of how Dubai could look in 20 years.

Projects by firms and architects, including Dabbagh Architects, RMJM Dubai, and Tariq Khayyat Design Partners (TKDP), envisioning the future of the built-space inspired by their direct environments, cultural contexts and accumulated experience of working in the region will be presented in the exhibition using innovative mediums and formats in a multi-dimensional space at the heart of d3.

The exhibition will be divided into four main themes, in accordance with the goals of “The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan” for a sustainable urban development. At the heart of the proposals, architects are invited to contribute to their vision of enhancing people's happiness and quality of life while investigating four themes in-depth: Mobility and Transportation, Public and Recreational Spaces, Accessibility to Infrastructure & Eco-Tourism.

The showcase will also include participations and collaborations from a variety of stakeholders in the architecture and urban planning domain including: American University of Sharjah (AUS), Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), Mobility in Chain, AESG, FUTURE\CITY, DesertINK Architects, XArchitects, ARDH Architects and Grimshaw Architects.

Learn more about this year’s innovative exhibitions when you download the free Dubai Design Week 2021 app.