[Golden Legacy]

The city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is undergoing an absolute mind-boggling explosion of projects. I've been keeping up with many of the proceedings, and it continues to simply defy every thing you've ever thought possible in architecture and construction.

Among the many developments, you may have heard about the Burj Dubai, which has already achieved the status of largest man-made structure in the world - and it's not even been completed yet. It currently stands at 818m (2648ft) and will be completed next year.

There are some truly astounding projects, some of which include The World, man-made island archipelago in the shape of the world map, The Hydropholis, the world's first underwater hotel, towers and buildings of every shape and form, the world's largest megamalls (complete with indoor skiing), a literal Jurassic park, and an honest to God space port.


Now, don't take my word for it that Dubai is and will be amazing, look at it for yourself:


http://www.quazen.com/Arts/Architecture/Se...Projects.297657
http://www.impactlab.com/2008/03/15/dubais...l-architecture/
http://www.dubai-arc...fo/DUB-GAL1.htm
http://www.sizzledcore.com/2008/03/26/24-a...jects-of-dubai/

And read up on all of them here.
http://en.wikipedia....pments_in_Dubai

[Caael]

I remember we had a lengthy discussion about Dubai on MSN, GL.

Probably going to stay with my friends who are living there soon. Well, I hope.

ALso, the Burj Dubai is officially the tallest building in existance as of now; it recently overtook the sears towers or w/e was highest before that.

[Saturos S.]

Been there, it's awesome. Different lines for men and women for rollercoasters, and the men always go first...

Plus, all those island making is done by Dutch companies, so as long as we make a profit out of it.

[Toasty]

Dubai has been undergoing projects for over a year or two now. They wan't to attract wealthy tourists, and it looks like they'll be doing just that.

[Split Infinity]

Toasty, on Oct 25 2008, 11:28 AM, said:

wan't

...

Anyway, some of these towers look stupidly tall, the Al Burj alone is going to be well over twice the size of the Empire State. They'd practically knock out half the city if they got blown over.

http://kuusanmaki.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/Al_Burj.jpg

[TheEnglishman]

Building a big tower like that... do you think they're compensating for something?
I can't believe all the stuff that they're doing over there. I'm sure there's more pratical stuff to spend your money on.

[Caael]

They're sitting on barrels and barrels of oil, that'd be why.

I remember I spent a whole day in the summer holidays just looking at the massive buildings in Dubai.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Burj_Dubai_20081019_(close-up).jpg/450px-Burj_Dubai_20081019_(close-up).jpg

Taken about a week ago; its absolutely insane, the Burj Dubai. I'm going to go to the very top once it's completed.

[Golden Legacy]

Yeah I remember talking about Dubai with you on MSN, Caael, I actually remembered that conversation and that's what made me post this topic.

TheEnglishman, on Oct 26 2008, 09:25 AM, said:

Building a big tower like that... do you think they're compensating for something?
I can't believe all the stuff that they're doing over there. I'm sure there's more pratical stuff to spend your money on.

It's an extreme long-term investment. Dubai (and other Middle Eastern cities/nations, for that matter) are shifting from an industrial oil-based economy to ones based on tourism and businesses/service. Dubai is intent on making itself a premier global city, certainly in the Middle East. It's megaprojects are already intent on an influx of immigrants and hundreds of thousands of tourists daily. I think it's a wise investment, and let's face it, some of these projects are damn incredible.

And it's been reported that standing on the top of the Burj Dubai you can see the curvature of the Earth. ****ing amazing.

[Saturos S.]

Isn't a bit similiar to what America started doing after they became independent? Making some 'own' landmarks? The White house, Mount Rushmore etc.

Because they didn't really have any 'own' cultural history after they backstabbed the English declared their independence. Europe still has the originals people.

[TheEnglishman]

I'd never go right to the top. For one thing it would probably take days, but for another I'm not a fan of heights.

[Golden Legacy]

@Saturos: No doubt about it.

I also think Dubai is doing this for the broader Arab world. One of the heads of the projects said that the Burj Dubai will finally return the title of tallest structure in the world to the Middle East. The Gaza Pyramids of Egypt held that title for four millennia until it was dethroned by the London Cathedral in the 1300s.

So there you have it. It's all the English's fault.

[Caael]

Thats a good thing that its our fault, Dubai is awesome.

[Soul]

Wow. Dubai has changed more than any other country. I've always thought Japan was the most advanced country there was; now I have my doubts. Dubai is on my to-go-to list. o_O

- Soul

[Drizzy Drake]

Canada has a mall with a wave park, skatepark, and rollar coaster in it. Dubai has a mall with a WHOLE FUCKING SKI SLOPE in it. And not just one path, like the entire thing.

[Ironsight]

These "World Islands" are very interesting. A good place to be during the inveitable zombie apocolypse.

[Golden Legacy]

Thought I'd revive this.

http://www.tutztutz.com/2008/02/dubai-what...-on-over-there/

Dubai is absolutely bursting, look at how the landscape's changed in a decade. And these proposed projects are absolutely sick.

[Drizzy Drake]

That Dubai waterfront looks like it could be LA, or New York. Meaning = damn that`s impressive.

And looking through those pictures is just stunning. They are really just not giving a fuck eh? Just building whatever the **** they can!?

[Caael]

They're sitting on a ****load of oil, they pretty much can build whatever they want.

Though it'll be interesting to see what happens when their money runs out, because I bet about 70% of their economy is made up of tourism.

[Drizzy Drake]

More construction workers in Dubai than living citizens.

[Legolastom]

Caael, on Feb 15 2009, 09:44 AM, said:

They're sitting on a ****load of oil, they pretty much can build whatever they want.

Though it'll be interesting to see what happens when their money runs out, because I bet about 70% of their economy is made up of tourism.

I think they are building this because their oil will run out in 10 years or something.

[Golden Legacy]

That's exactly right, and right now the UAE's main source of revenue is tourism, oil only makes up less than 10% of their GDP. It's to shift to a long-term tourist based economy, and so far it looks like it's working.

Seriously, I can't get over the damn spaceport and the artificial island archipelagos.

[Caael]

In 10 years time, Dubai will be the new Hong Kong.

[Caael]

Bump: Burj Dubai is topped out at 818 metres.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Burj_Dubai_20090121.jpg

****ing insane...

[Ironsight]

Caael, on Feb 15 2009, 03:50 PM, said:

Bump: Burj Dubai is topped out at 818 metres.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Burj_Dubai_20090121.jpg

****ing insane...

Am...am I the only one that thinks that would be the coolest demolition job ever?

[Caael]

It would, but it'd be a waste.

[Mallick]

Caael, on Feb 15 2009, 03:50 PM, said:

Bump: Burj Dubai is topped out at 818 metres.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Burj_Dubai_20090121.jpg

****ing insane...

That's just gay. Makes the other towers look ****ty.

[Drizzy Drake]

It really does make the other towers look lackluster.

[Caael]

Those other towers are the size of Canary Wharf as well.

[Drizzy Drake]

Proof right there that the other tower is just too big..

[Legolastom]

No big is too big.

[Drizzy Drake]

Legolastom, on Feb 15 2009, 09:39 PM, said:

No big is too big.

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/famecrawler/2007/12/23-End%20of%20Month/rosie-oterror.jpg

Wrong again...

[Ironsight]

Is that Rosie O'Donnell?

Also: PROGRESS

[Split Infinity]

Caael, on Feb 16 2009, 10:50 AM, said:

Bump: Burj Dubai is topped out at 818 metres.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Burj_Dubai_20090121.jpg

****ing insane...

That tower needs some anti-aliasing.

[Drizzy Drake]

Miley Cyrus, on Feb 15 2009, 11:58 PM, said:

Is that Rosie O'Donnell?

Also: PROGRESS

That it is. I believe it's a shopped pic though.

[Ironsight]

Neophyte, on Feb 15 2009, 10:07 PM, said:

That it is. I believe it's a shopped pic though.

Could have fooled me...