Duabi: Before & After

[vanshnookenraggen]

While surfing the interwebs I stumbled upon this Russian site with some great before and after pics of Dubai along with a number of renderings of what is proposed.

http://www.ellf.ru/2007/02/05/dubajj__samyjj_bystrorazvivajushhijjsja_gorod_v_mire_foto.html

To make everyones lives easier I have reposted the images AND translated the text. Enjoy.

1991

2003

1973

1990

2006

At this time Dubai has around 20% of all cranes world.

Havre Dubai. When construction is completed, this will be the biggest coastal building in the world.

The Palm Islands. The largest artificial islands in the world. They can be seen even from space.

When construction is complete there are to be about 2,000 villas, 40 [luxury hotels] , a shopping-center, theaters, and in general, all that is required to support nearly 500,000 vacationers.

The World Islands. 300 artificial islands made in the form of the globe. The cost of one of between 25 and 30 million dollars.

Al Arab Hotel

Hydropolis is the world's first underwater hotel. Planned to open in 2007.

The Burj Dubai Tower. Construction began in 2005 and will end in 2008. The approximate height of more than 800 metres, which is 40% above the highest building Taipei 101.

This will be Dubai in 2008-2009.

Dubailand. So far, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, USA, is the largest park attractions in the world. Dubailand will be twice as large, about 270 million square meters. The price of more than 20 billion dollars.

Dubai Sports City. Huge complex games at Dubailand.

Dubai Sports City

Walt Disney Dubai. According to the plan, Dubailand to attract about 200,000 visitors daily.

Princes Tower. [When completed] Ocean Heights and The Princess Tower will be the highest residential buildings in the world.

From the beaches of Dubai will be located more than 200 skyscrapers. Construction will end in 2008

The Dubai Mall. The Dubai Mall will be the largest shopping-center in the world. More than 830,000 square meters and about 1,000 stores.

I have a feeling Le Corb. is laughing right about now.

 

[bosdevelopment]

The most amazing shots are the first two. From literally a barren desert to today

 

[IMAngry]

Hmmm ...

I don't see no McDonald's.

Lame.

 

[Corey]

So that's where our money goes when we buy gas.

Looks like a nice place to visit like Las Vegas but I bet it would get old.

 

[Ron Newman]

is this Dubai or is it Abu Dhabi? Those are two different places, but your headline mixes them up.

 

[kmp1284]

It's definitely Dubai, I am going in may and will be sure to take hundreds of pictures.

 

[Waldorf]

Everything about that place seems so artificial. I get a headache just looking at those pictures.

 

[justin]

What an unattractive place.

justin

 

[Ron Newman]

the Brasilia of the 21st century?

 

[lexicon506]

I'd take Boston and all its problems over that joke of a city anyday. IMO, Dubai is one of the worst cities in the world....it's really fun to go over to SSC and say that to all the Dubai-lovers over there :lol:

 

[awood91]

this is so depressing. the consumption that happens here is so unbelievably irresponsible.


its also very ugly

 

[vanshnookenraggen]

I think it's beautiful in its ambition. I also can't wait to see this city when its economy collapses and all these towers are abandoned. That might not happen but I can dream.

 

[IMAngry]

Er, huh?

When you talk about "irresponsible consumption" and "economy collapsing", you are aware of what's going on in Dubai, right? That their oil reserves will be depleted someday soon and that they are making a concerted effort to broaden their economy to be service- and tourism-based, right?

Wikipedia is a good place to start learning about the emirate.

 

[Waldorf]

Well, for one, building those artificial islands along the shore is reeking havoc on the coastal ecosystem and the Persian Gulf in general. Second, the workers who are building those developments are treated like animals, who live 8 to a room, get paid peanuts every few months and can't leave because their passports have been confiscated by the UAE. Third, most of these buildings consume vast amounts of energy because of their rampant use of air conditioning in the hot, dry Arabian desert.

They have every right to diversify their economy, but at what cost? On the flip side, we, in the United States, are twenty times worse when it comes to many of these issues (ie: energy consumption, consumerism, environmental issues...).

 

[bosdevelopment]

Re: Er, huh?

When you talk about "irresponsible consumption" and "economy collapsing", you are aware of what's going on in Dubai, right? That their oil reserves will be depleted someday soon and that they are making a concerted effort to broaden their economy to be service- and tourism-based, right?

Wikipedia is a good place to start learning about the emirate.

Dubai's economy was never oil based. From what I understand it's mainly a financial hub (similar to nyc)

 

[Waldorf]

All of those projects are finance by oil revenues. They are the second largest producer in the OPEC cartel. They know that oil is drying up, so they are converting to a services-based economy, which includes banking and finance.

 

[IMAngry]

Hmmm ...

Wikipedia is saying the Hydropolis project was canceled.

Anyone?

 

[vanshnookenraggen]

The first I had heard of the Hydropolis was on that Russian site so it is very possible. Still as a proposal...

 

[bowesst]

Why can't we get a damn Hydropolis in Boston? Is that too much to ask for?

 

[statler]

^^ It would cast too many shadows on the lobsters.