Dubai South has recently awarded AED 1 billion ($ 272 million) worth of contracts for development projects in Dubai’s Residential District, adjacent to the Expo 2020 Dubai site, Trade Arabia reported.

Contracts for the project’s infrastructure and design operations  were awarded to top industry leaders, such as Parsons Corporation, Atkins Global, Studio International Architects, Al Nasr, Tristar Engineering & Construction and the US-based RNL Design.

The idea behind the Residential District is to provide affordable and attractive community appealing to families and young professionals, as well as offer schools, nurseries, hospitals, retail outlets, F&B options, a post office, swimming academy and a sports centre.

“We, at Dubai South, are excited to be working with the leading companies in the construction industry to help create a solid foundation for the future homes of Dubai South residents. Our investments will take us closer to realizing Dubai’s vision of becoming a city of happy, creative, and empowered people,” Acting Chief Executive Officer for Dubai South Ahmed Al Ansari said.

The Residential District will include around 10,000 residential units, such as villas, townhouses and apartments by 2020, to house 35,000 residents, Al Ansari added, according to Construction Week Online.

In regards to the master-plan and product design for the mixed-use development, Atkins Global, Studio International Architects and RNL Design were contracted.

The infrastructure development work of the Residential District will be completed in phases, Al Ansari said.