Dubai Then & Now: The Complete Transformation

Evolution is inevitable. If you take a sneak peek 10 years back now, UAE was completely different from what it is today. Dubai has grown in every aspect whether it is technology, architecture, environmental or biological. It takes a lot of expertise to grow and stay ahead all the time. UAE is all about moving one step at a time and now it is leaving the world behind.

World’s Tallest, Largest, Biggest and Strongest

Dubai has all the world’s tallest, largest, biggest, and strongest. Dubai is the ambassador of World records as the emirate aims at “the bigger the better”. But all of this wasn’t possible two decades ago, isn’t it?

It is amazing how beautifully the city has transformed, leaving the world far behind!

A Brief History

In 1833, Dubai had 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe. They used the harbor as a small center for fishing and pearling. Later, Arabian nomads from the Middle East joined them. Both tribes settled together.

During the 1960s, Dubai survived on oil exploration revenue. But later in 1969, it started to export oil and from then on Dubai started developing rapidly. Investment took place to create skyscrapers. And over the years, Dubai transformed into the glam and glitzy hub we know today.

Dubai Then and Now

• Sheikh Zayed Road (1990 & Now)

Sheikh Zayed Road is the main highway that links Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is also the longest road in the Emirates. In 1971, the construction of the road was kicked off but it took nine years for completion. This road is surrounded by popular buildings like the Emirates Towers, Palm Jumeriah, and Dubai Marina.

• Deira Clocktower (1969 & Now)

Built-in 1963, The Deira Clocktower is Dubai’s renowned clock tower present in the middle of Deira. The stunning structure stands tall at the Makyoum Bridge gateway. It serves as an important link between Bur Dubai and Deira. It was surrounded by sand dunes and undeveloped structures back then, but today, it has been beautifully transformed into the most popular hub of Dubai which is loved by millennials.

• Dubai Waterfront (1954 & Now)

This was expected to be the biggest waterfront and man-made creation in Dubai. The waterfront has a diverse range of canals and artificial archipelago. The construction started in 2007 as this is an 8km long waterfront running parallel to the Persian coastline. But the construction came to a half due to the financial crisis that hit Dubai.

• Dubai Creek (1950 & Now)

Dubai Creek divides Dubai into two-Deira and Bur Dubai. Dubai Creek holds a major part of Dubai’s history. The first inhabitants of Dubai-The Bani Yas settled at Dubai Creek. During the 19th century, they built civilization near Bur Dubai Creek. This led to the rise of the Al Maktoum dynasty.

• Dubai Airport (1960 & Now)

In 1956, Dubai Airport was built when it was instructed by the ruler Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum. It has only 1800 meter runway created out of the sand. In addition to this, an asphalt runway and a fire station became elements of the airport premises later. But today, Dubai Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world.

• Downtown Dubai (2000 & Now)

In 2006, most of the cranes were engaged in building the best skyscrapers that we see today. Dubai aimed at the tourists and this was the reason why they constantly kept building towering and glistening buildings. And once Burj Khalifa (the tallest man-made structure in the world) was completed, Dubai booked its name in history forever. This flooded tourists from across the globe to have a glimpse of the massive beauty. It is home to astonishing marvels like Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain.

Wrapping Up

Dubai’s 50+ years glow up all because of its oil discovery in 1966. Dubai’s former ruler, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, appointed British architect John Harris. He wanted him to draft a master plan for renovating the city. From their own Dubai became, larger and stronger.

There is no surprise that Dubai hosts the world’s tallest building-the Burj Khalifa, it’s also the home to the world’s second-largest mall, the Dubai Mall. UAE has the longest zipline in the world (283kms), Jebel Jais, the largest suspended aquarium, the world’s biggest and tallest Ferris wheel-Aim wheel, Palm Jumeriah-the largest man-made island in the world, the world’s largest picture frame-‘The Dubai Frame’, World’s deepest swimming pool-Deep Dive Dubai (196feet).