Dubai – The fastest growing city in the world
Dubai became in 1971 one of the 7 emirates of the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The country has a surface of 3′885 km² (1.5 times the surface of Luxembourg), but 75% of the territory is covered by the desert.
Dubai is governed since January 4, 2006, by Emir Mohammed ben Rached al Maktoum. The population increased from 265′702 in 1980, to 669′181 in 1995 and to 1,321,453 in 2006. In 2003, 84% of the population was immigrated and 71% were men.
UPDATE: Check the new posts about dubai: World’s tallest bridge, Dubai Metro, Trump’s Hotel, Rotating Skyscapers
In 1990, Dubai’s government became aware that they depended entirely of fossil energies (petrol) and decided to start reconversion in favor of new technologies, commerce and luxury related business. In 15 years, the contribution of petrol in the GNP (Gross National Product) dropped from 80% to 10%.
So, do you recognize those three buildings? Some People see Dubai as a “large scale SimCity”. I guess now you know why…
After 10 years of unrestrained constructions, 15% of all building constructions in the world are done in Dubai. One will find there from 15 to 25% of the cranes of the world… 70 billion € are currently invested in building projects…
At the beginning of August 2004, 5.200 buildings were under construction (offices, shopping centres, hotels or residential buildings). The buildings progress at the speed of 2 floors per week. The number of tourists was evaluated to 1.6 million in 1995, 3.6 million in 2001, 6 million in 2005 and 15 million are expected for 2010. In 2005, it was composed of 34% of Arabs, 32% of Europeans, 23% of Asians, 5% Africans, and 4% of Americans. For the first 9 months of 2005, the city held the best world rate of hotel occupation with 86% (New York had 83% and Singapore 80%). The Shopping Festival, from January 15 to February 15, accommodates more than 3 million visitors. It is almost impossible for a foreigner to obtain the nationality or to settle there definitively. In 2002, in order to promote the real estate, a law was promulgated making it possible for foreigners to own buildings (but not the ground) for some 99 year old beams. Here are some achievements and projects:
- Skidome Dubai
It cost 200 € million, and it is the largest ski dome in the world. Don’t forget it’s 40°C outside… Inside, it is -1°C. It is 80m high, 80m wide and has a length of 400m. It can have 1′500 persons inside.
- Dubai Marina
The Palm Islands (project in progress). The auto-claimed “8th wonder of the world” The 3 Palms Islands of Jumeirah, Jebel Ali and Deira should create an estimated additional 500 km of coasts (+166%). 100 luxurious hotels, 5′000 apartments and 10′000 villas
This is the Palm Jumeirah island estimated at 1,2 billion €. This artificial island which has the shape of a palm tree is the first of the Palm Islands. It is actually in final phase and it will shelter more than 2′500 apartments, 1′400 villas, 32 five-star hotels and 200 luxury shops.
This is a promotional video for The Palm.
- The World
The World is an archipelago of artificial islands, shaped like the continents of the Earth, being constructed off the coast of Dubai. The project is inspired by the Palm Islands. It will consist of 250 to 300 smaller private artificial islands divided into four categories – private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands. The entire project is slated for completion in 2008.
Each island will range from 250′000 to 900′000 square feet (5.74 to 20.66 acres; 23 226m² to 83′613m²) in size, with 50 to 100 metres of water between each island. The development will cover an area of 9 kilometers in length and 6 kilometers in width, surrounded by an oval breakwater. The only means of transportation between the islands will be by boat and helicopter. Each island will cost an estimated average of $25 million. It is owned and is being constructed by Al Nakheel Properties (Nakheel Corp). The World is also known as the Globe Islands.
- Burj Al Arab Hotel
Burj Al Arab Hotel (*******) cost 70 € million and is 321 meters high. Located on an artificial island, is at the same time the highest hotel of the world and the only one having 7 stars (not the traditional classification).
- Hydropolis
Hydropolis (self-acclaimed 10-star) will cost $500 million. It is an underwater hotel that should be immersed near Dubai at the end of the year. It’s construction has been relaunched, after some “cost issues and concerns over the project’s impact on marine life” (Wikipedia.) in February 2007. There will be 220 suites with panoramic windows.
Burj Dubai Tower
This skyscraper should be finished in 2008. It will be the highest building in the world. The cost is estimated at €80 million. Burj Dubai Tower should be around 800m high (authorities want the hight to remain secret) and have 167 floors. It is in the center of a new district called “Downtown Burj”, which will cost around €15 billion.
For updates on the construiction of the tower, I recommend you to visit burjdubaiskyscraper.com.
Videos
Here is a very complete (and long) video about Dubai and its constructions, from skyscrapercity.com
UPDATE: Check the new posts about dubai: World’s tallest bridge, Dubai Metro, Trump’s Hotel, Rotating Skyscapers
July 21st, 2009 at 7:25 am
you arabs are so stupid, wasting money on temporary things, no future, no brains, rude to othre muslims,under hindu anology atleast in business terms, hypnotized by hindus on your land who are only slaves, rich in your countries, of zionists. i hope your oil will run out so your retarded sheikhs or rich or kings become complete losers and reason to fall of muslim identity and balance
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Dubai is wonderfull.
September 4th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
in actual reality i really like the idea of drawing things, out of the earth that actually follow GODS commandment, but please listen Dubai is not thinking of the future (although i want The LORD to come take me home right now) we're still here and we need to think of the future. what it seems like to me is that the architechs responsible for the regeneration haven't taken the fact of global warming into consideration and it looks like they are hoping for the waters to subside! Now old sayings, wise words whatever you want call them are something that give heed to and the wise words that go perfectly well with this is ' its better to be safe than sorry'. for instance if you keep on building (which is going to happen until the day) but you don't take into consideration the fact that the sea level is rising and then over a period of time, of short time mind you, the waters indeed rise the beautiful and intellectual architechtural structures will start to flood. but if you make somewhere safe for the waters to run into then you can still build whatever you want to build and in an emergency the world and palm locations will remain in tact
November 1st, 2009 at 7:11 pm
If its good for Dubai its good for all country open mind .
A. Akhdi
December 26th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
hwo can i find videos iin skyscrapercity.com? any one can help me
January 31st, 2010 at 4:03 pm
lern deutsch!!!
Das ist einfach nur furchtbar, bei jedem Satz bleib ich 10 mal hängen, weil entweder etwas sinngemäß fehlt und es unverständlich ausgedrückt ist.
Eigentlich gibt es viel Input, nur durch die mängel deiner Deutschkenntnissen versteht man die Information erst beim erneuten Durchlesen oder gar nicht.
February 6th, 2010 at 11:11 am
i wanna fuck da developers of dubai bt i luv dubai very mch!!!!
February 6th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Dubai is writing poetry between earth and the sky .
A . Akhdi