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.