Posted on 01/21/2008 1:31:49 PM PST by Squidpup
Not content with finishing construction of the "The World", a constellation of man-made islands forming the shape of the continents, Dubai's developer, Nakheel, is to build "The Universe": an archipelago of reclaimed islands depicting the sun and the planets and moons of the solar system.
Only half of The World's islands have been sold, but Sultan bin Sulayem, Nakheel's chairman, says Dubai is pressing ahead with another offshore project.
Residents have already moved into apartments and villas on Palm Jumeirah, the city's first reclaimed development, which will boast several deluxe hotels, including a refurbished Queen Elizabeth II, the liner's final home.
Nakheel yesterday also announced plans to redevelop Port Rashid, the city's first deepwater port, which helped catapult the emirate into a commercial hub. Mr Bin Sulayem said the new port would honour Sheikh Rashid, the father of Dubai's current ruler, who laid much of the groundwork for the city's position as a tourism and business centre.
Nakheel, which has come under fire from environmental groups for disrupting the Gulf's marine environment, claims its developments have actually boosted bio-diversity off Dubai's shores. The developer, with an estimated $60bn (€41bn, £31bn) of projects under way, will invest AED500m ($136m, €93m, £70m) over the next five years in research and development through Blue Communities, a think-tank that will set guidelines for sustainable developments.
Dubai, whose population is projected to treble to about 4m by 2020, is rapidly developing a vast array of real estate projects to meet future demand while also providing myriad investment opportunities for the region's petro-dollar-fuelled liquidity.
Memorably dubbed "Donald Trump on acid", Dubai has projects on the go from mundane identikit villas stretching deep into the desert to bizarre novelties, such as recreating an entire quarter of Lyon, including museums and universities.
"The Universe", which does not yet have a detailed masterplan, is another potential tourist attraction in a city that has become a long-haul favourite for British holidaymakers.
Just wait till the next earthquaqe in that area and watch those "islands" turn to quicksand.
Just tossing money into the wind.
I wonder if there’s any high paying I.T. jobs over there? I’d be willing to more right about now. Hate this cold weather.
Well at least the residents of Dubai, so far, aren’t intent on blowing each other up.
Sounds more like, “The Solar System.” I won’t be buying until they begin construction on “The Magellanic Clouds”.
Lol....well, I don’t see the harm in letting these rich Arab sheikhs build the universe—gives them and the residents something to do so they won’t be financing terror. Although, to be fair, the people of Dubai generally don’t seem to be inclined to blow each other up. Compared to Saudi Arabia, Dubai is Disneyland.
Yep, that too. My Arabic professor said she had a kid from Dubai in her class last semester...he told everyone about their indoor ski resort. Looks like fun, actually...lol
A hairdresser's wicked flashbacks.
If their population trebles, wouldn't this be about 40m or even 400m?
Well that’s the trouble with trebling..
Reminds me of Magrathea’s planet factory in Hitchhiker’s Guide.
Dubai is awesome. Had a good time there. It’s good that they invest so much in their Emirate. It makes them think twice before getting involved in terrorism since they don’t want to lose what they’ve built.
Abu Dhabi is trying a different path, trying to make itself a cultural center rather than a financial center like Dubai.
I actually kinda want to go to Dubai...I want to visit their ski resort and that giant amusement park and all...and I bet they’ve got some nice beaches there too! The UAE isn’t really a place full of crazies who go blow stuff up...just full of a bunch of rich Arab sheikhs with a lot of time on their hands!
Perhaps it’s a good thing they make so much $$$ from oil....gives them the cash to build stuff like this and divert everyone from terrorism.
There’s just about every imaginable fun activity there & lots & lots of over-the-top buildings to stare at. The more cash you have, the better your stay will be. Food is the best, as always. Even if you don’t like Middle Eastern food, there are plenty of restaurants serving different foods. But you’d be missing out! Beware of hustlers & buying things from the souk at “white prices” i.e. vastly overpriced.
Bttt
Bttt
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