Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula and is possibly the most famous. A city within the emirate also named Dubai has recently emerged as a global city and business hub for the rest of the world within the past few decades. Although being a newcomer, its strategic location has helped it in the international business area and with trade. One reason it has gained so much attention is because of its very modern and innovative architectural designs.
After the architectural boom in the Arab world, the buildings in Dubai have conquered accomplishments unlike any others and helped create one of the tallest skylines in the world.
The city of Dubai is known for its luxurious style and wealth. However, it was not always such a prosperous land. Most people believe the city is so affluent due to the oil-rich Gulf it is located in, however, that only makes up about 7% of the income while most revenue comes from real estate, tourism, and other investments.
Since the ruler of Dubai knew the oil found in Dubai would not last long he started investing in the city’s infrastructure and making it more business-friendly, which laid the foundation for the Dubai we know today. Even though it is an Arab country, Dubai has adopted more liberal thinking and allows all religions to practice there. It was only after it became a business and tourist center that the ruler decided to take it to the next level and make the city known for its prestige and luxury in the early 2000s.
Religion and custom dad an effect on the architecture of Dubai. In the 1980’s most buildings were being created with local culture in mind as local resources were being used, and even as Dubai architecture matured, there was still a lot of importance given to culture and heritage.
It is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and the architecture within the city perfectly blends historic and futuristic looks. Not only does Dubai go for revolutionary concepts with the best technology, but some of their architecture even has some Islamic roots that are found throughout the Arab world. All of the iconic landmarks that make up the city symbolize phenomenal success and cultural differences. Mosques are nestled side by side with the lustrous headquarters of international companies. And the vast tourism is apparent in emerging luxury hotels, which are always filled with visitors who flock to the beautiful beaches of Dubai and marvel at the amazing buildings.
One particular amazing building is the tallest building and man-made structure in the world; it is the Burj Khalifa located in the center of Downtown Dubai. The inspiration for this building was native desert flowers (Hymenocallis) that are found in all aspects of Islamic architecture and provide the building with its swirling physique. The vortex shape also served another purpose since it assists with the building’s structural stability. Furthermore, this building helps Dubai arguably have the tallest skyline in the world since it is 2,716.5 feet and has more than 160 stories. However, it is the Burj Al Arab Hotel that has become a landmark for Dubai, considering it is known as the only 7-star” hotel in the world. That is quite an incredible feat and the building itself mimics the sail of a boat, making it very distinct from other hotels and buildings.
The Palm Islands are three completely man-made islands located off the United Arab Emirates coast. They are considered the 8th wonder of the world and can even be seen from space. The purpose of these islands is to help with the tourist influx as they house the luxury hotels and they are designed in the shape of a Date Palm tree which is very significant to the Islamic roots of the country. The World Islands are another archipelago located off the coast of Dubai. The three hundred artificial islands come together to make up a rough draft of a world map and the World Dubai has become a very exclusive community, which is just what the builders and leaders were hoping for. Both the Palm and World Islands create more coastlines for Dubai, which then allows an increase in tourist population as well as real estate projects.
Another building that is quite perfect for this project is the Da Vinci Rotating Tower/ Dynamic Tower, which has yet to be built. It will be one of the most unique buildings in Dubai, as each floor will be able to rotate freely, allowing the building to constantly change its shape. If that’s not enough, the building will also be self-sustainable using wind turbines and solar panels positioned on the building for energy. Whatever Dubai builds, they are still able to take into account and combine innovative designs and techniques with some traditional Arabspicesice.
Thus, Dubai is a city leading the world with the newest architectural innovations. It is a city full of contrasts and that is what makes it so spectacular. While there can s amazing modern architecture with rising skyscrapers, there are also traditional Arabic buildings alongside them or ones that serve as inspiration. The buildings that create the incredible skyline of Dubai come together to symbolize the astounding story of the fast-growing city and its roots for the people of Dubai.
An Assessment of the Architectural Innovations in Dubai. (2022, Jun 13). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/an-assessment-of-the-architectural-innovations-in-dubai/