Dubai: Where Tradition meets Modernity

Until the middle of the 18th century, Dubai was a small fishing settlement on the shore of the Arabian Gulf. It was only known by merchants for its pearling industry. Due to its proximity to Iran, Dubai became attractive to Iranian and foreign tradesmen, making it an important trading location at the beginning of the 20th century. When oil was discovered in the 1960s, Dubai’s growth surged forward. However, the oil reservoirs in Dubai are very limited, and thus the emirate must find another way to sustain the long run.

Under the guidance of its brilliant rulers, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and his successors, Dubai utilized a large part of its oil revenue to build infrastructure. This led to enormous success in estate trading, aviation, and tourism. Today, it is one of the most shining pearls in the Middle East with a strong economy and ultra-modern infrastructure. Yet Dubai is still able to maintain a rich history. In fact, the city has integrated many traditions into the modern lifestyle, making a trip to Dubai a memorable journey through time.

Characterized by a labyrinth of narrow walking lanes, and sand-colored houses topped with beautiful Barjajeel (wind towers), which provided natural air-conditioning, Al Fahidi is what Dubai looked like in the middle of the 19th century. These traditional buildings are made of natural materials such as mud, stones, corals, palm woods, and teaks, and are separated by alleys and public squares. The house’s windows and doors were also built in a special way to ensure the privacy and discretion of its owners.

Due to its strategic location at Dubai Creek until the early 20th century, this nicely restored neighborhood played an important role in managing the emirate and organizing commercial ties overseas. Though the Golden Age of Al Fahidi has gone, the area is still home to numerous cultural and artistic institutions, ranging from exhibitions, and museums to the cultural center, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Cultural Understanding.

At first glance, Deira looks unappealing with narrow, seedy alleys and unspectacular buildings. By the beginning of the last century, Deira was, however, the heart of Dubai where thousands of dhows (traditional naval vessels) landed. They brought tons of gold, spices, and frankincense from Iran, Pakistan, India, and elsewhere to the city.

Goods are then gathered in the souk (bazaar), such as Gold Souk or Spice Souk, and sold to customers for a huge profit. Although Deira has lost its important role in recent years due to the development of areas further down the coast toward Abu Dhabi, it is still an unmissable part of Dubai.

A modern Dubai filled with skyscrapers is perhaps the most conversant image to most visitors. Having the highest building in the world, the world’s most luxurious hotel, and the largest artificial island that has ever existed, Dubai deserves the title “The City of Superlatives”.

But Dubai’s vision does not stop there. Aside from being a commercial center, the pearl of the Middle East is evolving into a global center of art and culture. New districts, for example, the Opera District (right next to the Burj Khalifa) with its brand new opera house in the form of a dhow and the Design District filled with cutting-edge buildings and trendy shops reflect this determination.