How Dubai was made | History of Dubai (2020)

Summary

Dubai's transformation from a small fishing village to a global business hub is a modern urban marvel. Its strategic location at the Persian Gulf facilitated early trade, but it was Sheikh Rashid's vision, post-oil discovery, to build a city not reliant on oil. His successors continued this ambition, creating iconic architecture like the Burj Khalifa and fostering an international, tax-free environment. Despite cultural criticisms and energy concerns, Dubai stands as an inspiration for urban development worldwide.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Dubai's transformation from a small fishing village to a modern city is considered an urban miracle, showcasing rapid development in a desert environment.
• 🌍 Located at a strategic crossroads between the East and West on the Persian Gulf, Dubai's geographic position was crucial for its growth as a trading hub.
• 🤝 The British Empire's influence through agreements with the Al Maktoum family helped secure peace but initially did not focus on developing Dubai as a city.
• 💼 In 1900, Dubai became a significant trading center by attracting merchants with a tax-free policy and the convenience of Dubai Creek for trade.
• 📈 The pearl diving industry boomed in the early 20th century, further enhancing Dubai's status as a trading hub in the Persian Gulf.
• 🛠️ Urban development in Dubai accelerated under Sheikh Rashid, who was inspired by European cities and aimed to create an international city.
• 🚢 The deepening of Dubai Creek and the construction of an international airport were part of Sheikh Rashid's vision for Dubai's urban development.
• 💡 The discovery of oil in 1966, although modest compared to other Middle Eastern countries, provided funding for further urban projects and development.
• 🏢 The construction of the Dubai World Trade Center in 1979 marked a significant step towards attracting international attention and business to Dubai.
• 🏙️ The completion of Burj Khalifa in 2010, the world's tallest skyscraper, exemplified Dubai's ambition to be a city of superlatives.
• 🌐 Sheikh Mohammed's vision for Dubai included making it a world financial center, creating a special economic zone that attracted international banking giants.
• 🌆 The rapid development and foreign ownership of land turned Dubai into a real estate hotspot, attracting investors and leading to a construction boom.
• 🌍 The diverse population of Dubai, with foreigners making up 95% of the residents, has created a unique international city with minimal cultural dominance.
• 🔋 Despite criticism and high energy consumption, Dubai's urban development serves as an inspiration for many other developing cities around the world.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of Dubai's location at the Persian Gulf?

Dubai's location at the Persian Gulf was historically significant as it was a natural crossing point between the East and West, making it a strategic route for trade and military purposes, especially during the time of the British Empire.

Why was urban development in Dubai slow for centuries?

Urban development in Dubai was slow due to the harsh climate, with summer temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius, which made it an inhospitable environment for rapid growth and construction.

What role did the Al Maktoum family play in early agreements with the British Empire?

The Al Maktoum family, the ruling dynasty of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, signed agreements with the British East India Company in the 19th century to secure peace in the area and protect the strategic route from pirates.

How did Dubai become a significant trading hub in the early 20th century?

Dubai became a significant trading hub due to the ruler's announcement of no taxes for traders, the convenience provided by Dubai Creek for trading ships, and its emergence as a major center for pearl diving.

What inspired Sheikh Rashid's vision for transforming Dubai into an international city?

Sheikh Rashid's vision was inspired by his travels around Europe, particularly by the urban design, transport system, and overall comfort and convenience he observed in London.

What was the impact of the discovery of oil on Dubai's development in 1966?

Although the oil reserves discovered in 1966 were modest by Middle Eastern standards, they provided a financial boost that Sheikh Rashid used to invest in urban development, with a vision to build a city not solely dependent on oil revenue.

How did Sheikh Rashid's policies make Dubai attractive for people of different nationalities and beliefs?

Sheikh Rashid ensured that people of different religions and beliefs could feel comfortable living in Dubai by making it a tolerant and inclusive city, despite being a Muslim-majority city.

What was the significance of the Dubai World Trade Center building in 1979?

The Dubai World Trade Center, a 39-storey building, was significant as it was an unprecedented urban project for Dubai, marking the city's ambition to be recognized internationally, despite initial ridicule from the international media.

Who inspired Sheikh Mohammed's approach to urban development, and how?

Sheikh Mohammed was inspired by Daniel Burnham, an American architect known for designing modern Chicago. Burnham believed in planning big to make a city notable, an approach Sheikh Mohammed adopted to make Dubai a city of the biggest and tallest structures.

What was the role of aviation in Sheikh Mohammed's vision for Dubai?

Aviation played a key role in Sheikh Mohammed's vision as he saw it as a gateway to Dubai for tourists, entrepreneurs, and investors. This led to the development of Dubai International Airport and the establishment of Emirates, the international airline of Dubai.

How did allowing foreigners to own land in Dubai impact its real estate market and urban development?

Allowing foreigners to own land turned Dubai into one of the biggest real estate markets, attracting billionaires and leading to a construction boom, with architects and firms from around the world bringing their most ambitious projects to the city.

What was the cultural impact of Dubai's rapid development and high percentage of foreign population?

The rapid development and high percentage of foreigners led to Dubai becoming a truly international city with a unique cultural landscape, where local citizens make up only 3-5% of the population, and everyone else is a guest, making it a cultural no-man's land where all can feel at home.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ Dubai's Transformation into a Modern Metropolis

This paragraph delves into the remarkable evolution of Dubai from a small fishing village to a global business and financial hub. It highlights the city's strategic location at the Persian Gulf and its historical significance during the British Empire era. The lack of development interest from the British, coupled with the city's harsh climate, initially hindered growth. However, the declaration of no taxes by the ruler in 1900 attracted merchants, and the pearl diving industry further boosted the economy. The urban development accelerated under Sheikh Rashid's reign, who was inspired by European capitals, particularly London, and initiated projects like deepening Dubai Creek and building an international airport. The discovery of oil in 1966, though modest, was invested wisely to lay the foundation for a city not reliant on oil revenues, inviting talent and fostering an inclusive environment for diverse nationalities.

05:01

🌐 Sheikh Mohammed's Vision for Dubai's Global Prominence

The second paragraph focuses on Sheikh Mohammed's ambitious vision to transform Dubai into a modern, international city, taking inspiration from American architect Daniel Burnham. It details the construction of iconic structures like the Emirates Towers and the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper. Sheikh Mohammed's hands-on approach and focus on aviation led to the establishment of Emirates Airlines and the expansion of Dubai International Airport. The allowance for foreigners to own land in 2002 sparked a real estate boom, attracting global investors and turning Dubai into a construction hotspot. The creation of the Dubai International Financial Center aimed to make the city a major financial player, attracting international banks. The rapid growth led to a demographic shift with foreigners comprising 95% of the population, creating a unique international city with minimal local cultural dominance. Despite criticisms and energy consumption concerns, Dubai's urban development serves as an inspiration for other cities worldwide.

Keywords

💡Dubai

Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates known for its rapid development and modern architecture. It is central to the video's theme as it showcases the transformation from a small fishing village to a global business and financial hub. The script describes Dubai as an 'urban miracle' and a 'futuristic city rising in the desert,' highlighting its impressive growth and development.

💡Eurasian continent

The Eurasian continent refers to the combined landmass of Europe and Asia. In the context of the video, Dubai's location on the Persian Gulf, which is part of the Eurasian continent, made it a strategic crossing point between the East and West. This geographical advantage played a significant role in Dubai's historical development and its current status as a global trade and business center.

💡British Empire

The British Empire was a historical empire that at its height was the largest empire in history, covering about a quarter of the world's land area. In the video, the British Empire's interest in securing the Persian Gulf for trade routes and protection from pirates is mentioned. This involvement with the local sheikhs, particularly the Al Maktoum family, set the stage for future developments in Dubai.

💡Al Maktoum dynasty

The Al Maktoum dynasty is the ruling family of Dubai, which has been in power since the mid-19th century. The video mentions the Al Maktoum family's agreement with the British East India Company, which helped secure peace in the region and has governed Dubai up to the present day, indicating their enduring influence on the city's development.

💡Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek is a saltwater canal that was historically significant for trade, as it allowed trading ships to sail from the Gulf into the city. The script highlights how the creek facilitated trade and contributed to Dubai becoming the biggest trading hub on the Persian Gulf, which was a key factor in its early economic development.

💡Pearl diving

Pearl diving was a major industry in Dubai in the early 20th century, attracting merchants and contributing significantly to the economy. The video describes how the pearl industry became so large that it formed 95% of the Persian Gulf economy, illustrating the importance of this activity in shaping Dubai's early prosperity.

💡Sheikh Rashid

Sheikh Rashid was the ruler of Dubai who initiated the city's urban development in the late 1950s. The video narrates his inspiration from European capitals, particularly London, and his ambitious plans to transform Dubai into an international city. His efforts to deepen Dubai Creek and build an international airport are highlighted as key steps in Dubai's transformation.

💡Oil

Oil played a significant role in Dubai's development, despite having modest reserves compared to neighboring countries. The video explains that the discovery of oil in 1966 was a turning point, as the profits were invested in urban development projects, rather than being considered a limitless source of wealth. This strategic use of oil revenue was crucial for laying the foundation for Dubai's future growth.

💡Dubai World Trade Center

The Dubai World Trade Center is a 39-storey building that opened in 1979 and was a significant project for the city. The video describes it as an unprecedented urban project for Dubai, which, despite being ridiculed by international media at the time, demonstrated Sheikh Rashid's conviction to make Dubai a serious player in the global economy.

💡Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest skyscraper, completed in 2010. The video mentions it as a symbol of Dubai's ambition to be a city of the biggest and tallest structures. This project, led by Sheikh Mohammed, is a testament to Dubai's drive to create iconic landmarks that capture international attention.

💡Emirates

Emirates is the international airline of Dubai, established in the 1980s with the help of Sir Maurice Flanagan of British Airways. The video discusses how Emirates played a crucial role in making Dubai a gateway for tourists, entrepreneurs, and investors, thereby contributing to the city's growth and international reputation.

💡Dubai International Financial Center

The Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) is a special economic zone that was created to turn Dubai into a world financial center. The video explains that it operates with its own laws and regulations, similar to the Vatican in Rome, and has attracted giants of the international banking system, further establishing Dubai's financial prominence.

Highlights

Dubai's transformation from a small fishing village to a futuristic city is a modern urban miracle.

Dubai's strategic location at the Persian Gulf made it a natural crossing point between east and west.

The harsh desert climate initially hindered Dubai's urban development.

British Empire's interest in the Persian Gulf for trade routes led to agreements with local sheiks, including the Al Maktoum family.

Dubai's tax-free policy in 1900 attracted Persian and Indian merchants, establishing it as a trading hub.

The pearl diving industry significantly contributed to Dubai's economy in the early 20th century.

Sheikh Rashid's vision for Dubai as an international city began with urban development projects inspired by European capitals.

The discovery of oil in 1966, though modest, provided funds for further urban development.

Sheikh Rashid's investment in urban projects, rather than relying solely on oil, set the stage for Dubai's future growth.

Dubai World Trade Center, opened in 1979, was a significant step towards international recognition despite initial skepticism.

Sheikh Mohammed continued his father's vision, aiming to make Dubai a city of superlatives with the tallest and largest projects.

The construction of Burj Khalifa in 2010 marked Dubai's ambition to have the world's tallest building.

Sheikh Mohammed's focus on aviation, including the development of Emirates Airlines, made Dubai a global gateway.

Allowing foreigners to own land in 2002 turned Dubai into a major real estate market, attracting international investors.

Dubai's rapid construction attracted global architects, turning it into a hub for ambitious projects.

The creation of the Dubai International Financial Center aimed to make Dubai a major player in the global financial market.

Dubai's demographic shift to a majority foreign population created a unique international city with no dominating local culture.

Criticisms of Dubai's rapid development include loss of Arabic features and high energy consumption.

Dubai's urban phenomenon serves as an inspiration for other developing cities worldwide.

Transcripts

dubai is known to be one of the urban

miracles of the modern world a

futuristic city rising in the middle of

a desert is something our ancestors 100

years ago could only imagine in a sci-fi

film it's hard to imagine that this

fascinating location used to be just a

tiny fishing village it seems almost a

logical that a small town in a very

inconvenient climate zone could become

one of the world's biggest business and

financial hubs how did this happen to

answer this question let's have a look

at the history of Dubai located at the

Persian Gulf right in the middle of the

Eurasian continent Dubai was destined to

be a crossing point between east and

west

at the same time the climate here is

almost inhumane the temperature in

summer reaches 50 degrees Celsius and

that is the reason why for centuries the

urban development here was quite slow

the Persian Gulf however was still an

important area for the British Empire

being a strategic route connecting

London to Bombay royal fleet needed to

secure this area from Pirates in the

19th century the British East India

Company signed an agreement with local

sheiks particularly with the Al Maktoum

family the ruling dynasty of Abu Dhabi

and Dubai to secure peace in the area Al

Maktoum dynasty rules Dubai until the

present day despite these agreements the

British Empire never really tried to

develop the area while the crown was

heavily investing in developing Bombay

the southern capital of the Empire by

building infrastructures railway and a

university there was hardly any interest

in developing Dubai as a city for the

British Empire Dubai was just a junior

partner a crossing point for the Royal

Fleet nothing more despite the lack of

interest from the Empire Dubai was

becoming more and more significant for

the region in 1900 the current ruler

announced that no taxes will be charged

from the traders and soon Persian and

Indian merchants started moving in the

city was convenient for trading also

thanks to Dubai Creek a saltwater canal

that was allowing trading ships to sail

from the Gulf right into the city

shortly Dubai became the biggest trading

hub on the Persian Gulf in

early 20th century the city also became

a big center of pearl diving which

attracted even more merchants every year

the pearl industry became so big that

soon nose forming 95% of the Persian

Gulf economy Dubai however was still a

big village rather than a city the urban

development started with the reign of

sheikh rashid in 1959 he went touring

around europe and was greatly inspired

by european capitals particularly london

walking around the city and travelling

on the tube he was fascinated by the

urban design transport system and

overall comfort and convenience that

London had to offer after his trip

sheikh rashid started implementing his

great plan of turning to buy into an

international city in 1961 he instructed

to artificially deepen the dubai creek

so that bigger trading ships could sail

in under his guidance the city was being

rebuilt with stone and cement having a

dream of a great city in his mind sheikh

rashid started building an international

airport although his investors thought

he is being too romantic and these urban

projects are simply unnecessary and it

was becoming challenging to fund all

these ambitious projects sheikh rashid

x' plans of creating an international

capital would probably stall at this

stage but in 1966 they found oil and

dubai despite the common belief that

dubai became the city that it is today

mainly thanks to oil the oil reserves

found in 1966 were quite modest by

middle-eastern standards for reference

neighbouring abu dhabi had ten times

more oil than dubai however the limited

resource was a blessing for the city

instead of considering oil as a

limitless source of wealth sheikh rashid

started investing the generated profit

in urban development his vision was to

build a city that wouldn't depend on oil

money he was inviting the most talented

architects engineers and entrepreneurs

to Dubai

since Sheik Rashid biggest inspiration

was London

he hired a team of British experts who

were consulting him on further steps one

of Sheik Rashid's main goals was to make

Dubai attractive for all nationalities

despite being a Muslim city he made sure

people of other religions and beliefs

could feel comfortable living there

like most of the other newly developing

cities Dubai needed a grand project that

could attract international attention so

Sheikh Rashid instructed to build a

skyscraper in 1979 the 39 storey

building named Dubai World Trade Center

was officially open for business being

an unprecedented urban project for Dubai

it was insignificant for the world where

100 storey buildings already existed in

fact international media was ridiculing

the city's grand investments but Sheikh

Rashid was convinced that Dubai will

soon be taken seriously by the

international community unfortunately he

never saw the city reach its full glory

tragically dying in 1981 at a relatively

young age but he managed to lay the

foundation of a city that he had

envisioned after Sheik Rashid died in

1981 his work was continued by one of

his son's 31 year old Muhammad just like

his father he was obsessed with the idea

of turning Dubai into a modern

international city his main inspiration

was Daniel Burnham an American architect

and urban designer that is known for

planning and designing modern Chicago in

the early 20th century Daniel Burnham

was convinced that a city architect has

to plan big if you want your city to be

spoken about small and mediocre projects

won't get you anywhere Sheikh Muhammad

adopted this approach and decided to

make Dubai a city of the biggest and the

tallest in 2000 he introduced Emirates

Towers which were higher than any

building in Europe at the time but that

wasn't big enough for Dubai Sheikh

Mohammed wanted to build the tallest

building in the world

in 2010 they completed the construction

of Burj Khalifa the highest skyscraper

in the world being a very hands-on

manager himself Sheikh Mohammed was

spending most of his time on

construction sites he was circling the

city in his white Mercedes which

registration plates said Dubai one this

plate was reflecting his overall

philosophy and life mission for Daniel

Burnham railway was the key asset of

building a new great city like Chicago

for Sheikh Mohammed that key asset was

aviation in 1974 he was already curating

the construction of Dubai International

Airport in 1980 he employs sir Maurice

Flanagan of British Airways to build

emirates the

new international airlines of Dubai soon

Emirates was flying to most of the

biggest international airports becoming

a gateway to Dubai for thousands of

tourists entrepreneurs and investors who

were curious to visit the new marvel of

the Middle East in 2002 Sheikh Mohammed

allowed foreigners to own land in Dubai

which quickly turned the city into one

of the biggest real estate markets

billionaires around the world jumped on

this new opportunity of owning property

in a city free of taxes and restrictions

Dubai became a gigantic construction

site every architect firm big or small

was rushing to Dubai bringing as many

architects and engineers as they

physically could it was a construction

Gold Rush in the middle of a desert the

biggest architects from around the world

brought their most ambitious projects to

Dubai Sheikh Mohammed had another

ambitious project in mind he wanted to

turn Dubai into a world financial center

competing with major financial capitals

like New York and London soon Dubai

international financial center was

created it's a special economic zone

covering 110 hectares with its laws and

regulations it was basically a separate

state within a city like the Vatican in

Rome the hub shortly became home to the

Giants of the international banking

system including Citibank HSBC and

Standard Chartered Dubai was growing

rapidly soon 95% of the population were

foreigners from around the world this of

course had a great impact on the local

culture a new truly international city

was born which was a unique phenomenon

in the world many capitals around the

world claimed to be international in

multinational cities but the reality is

that there is always a dominating local

culture or culture of the majority for

example London which served as an

inspiration for Sheik Rashid when he

started developing Dubai although being

a diverse city and home to numerous

ethnicities and cultures is still a

British City Dubai however became a

cultural no-man's land of a sort

everyone here is a guest so everyone can

feel at home

local citizens are only three to five

percent of the population this aspect of

the city earned a lot of criticism as

well for example the Washington Post

once stated that Dubai in this attempt

to be a successful Arabic city had to

sacrifice all its Arabic features

another negative aspect of this rapid

development became the fact that the

United Arab Emirates became the only

country that spends more energy than the

USA despite all this divides an urban

phenomenon that serves as an inspiration

for many other developing cities around

the world today let us know in the

comments if you have ever been to Dubai

and what you like or dislike about the

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