HDC Secures Top Honors at Maldives Expo 2026 for Visionary Hulhumalé Exhibits

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has clinched the prestigious first-place award in the state-owned enterprise category at the National Exhibition of Creativity, a highlight of the ongoing Maldives Expo 2026.

The accolade recognises HDC’s compelling collection of exhibits, which offer an immersive journey through Hulhumalé’s transformative history and its ambitious roadmap for future urban innovation.

The award was presented by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed during a formal ceremony held on Saturday night. Malsha Shareef, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at HDC, accepted the honour on behalf of the corporation.

Designed and produced by HDC’s own dedicated team, the winning exhibit serves as a bridge between the city’s past and its high-tech future. Visitors are greeted by poignant historical artifacts, including an intricate model of the humble dhoni that once served as the sole lifeline for passengers and goods between Malé and the nascent Hulhumalé.

Complementing this is a detailed recreation of the Amazone—the legendary dredger deployed in 2003. This vessel is widely credited with accelerating the island’s first phase of reclamation, successfully reshaping the geography of the Maldives in just six months.

Beyond historical retrospection, the exhibit pivots decisively toward the future with a showcase of cutting-edge infrastructure. A centerpiece of the display is a prototype of a "Smart Streetlighting" system, designed to revolutionise urban management. By utilising remote monitoring and real-time fault detection, the system promises to slash electricity consumption and optimise maintenance cycles, signaling HDC’s transition toward becoming a model "smart city."

"Our participation aims to bridge the gap between our complex engineering projects and the public," an HDC spokesperson noted.

"By showcasing both our history and our technological aspirations, we hope to provide the community with a clear vision of how Hulhumalé continues to evolve."

The Maldives Expo 2026, currently hosted at the sprawling Hulhumalé Central Park, remains open to the public until November 2. The event stands as a significant national showcase, featuring over 4,400 products from roughly 600 participants, cementing HDC’s role as the primary architect behind the nation's most ambitious urban development project.