Dubai as it used to be in 1950

Bastakia

In 1950 Bastakia was a separate enclave outside Dubai's town limits.

Around 1900, Merchants relocated from Port Lingah in Persia after Dubai's Ruler gave them land outside Dubai Town.

Area became known as Bastakia after the architectural style of the Merchants' buildings. They replicated the architectural style of Bastak Town in Persia - the Merchants' original home town.

Diera

Diera was home to the Municipality, Police Headquarters, Dhow Wharfs, Soukhs and doorway to Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Major residential areas were located in Diera.

Diera

Diera was home to the Municipality, Police Headquarters, Dhow Wharfs, Soukhs and doorway to Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Major residential areas were located in Diera.

Diera

Diera was home to the Municipality, Police Headquarters, Dhow Wharfs, Soukhs and doorway to Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Major residential areas were located in Diera.

Dubai Creek

Photo shows how Dubai Creek and its entrance was silting up.

Eventually this interfered with Dubai's trade by preventing Dhows entering the Creek.

In 1959 Sheikh Rashid ordered Dubai Creek to be dredged. The dredged sand was used to reclaim the sides of Dubai Creek and Diera's eroded beaches

Shindagah

Dubai Creek separated Shindagah from Diera. A water course did the same from Dubai. Shindaga was a secure place for ruling Al Maktoum Family who lived there.

Watercourse was built over in the early 1970s. Dubai's flour mill is located over water course.

1980s saw water flowing through the underground water course cause damage to sheet piling and structures built over the water course

Shindagah

Shindagah

Dubai Creek separated Shindagah from Diera. A water course did the same from Dubai. Shindaga was a secure place for ruling Al Maktoum Family who lived there.

Watercourse was built over in the early 1970s. Dubai's flour mill is located over water course.

1980s saw water flowing through the underground water course cause damage to sheet piling and structures built over the water course

Dubai

Dubai Town was much smaller than Diera in 1950,

Primarily the centre of Government with the Ruler using Al Fahidi Fort as his Majlis and Government Office.

Land Sales!!!

This land was sold by Public Auction in the early 1970s.

Sheikh Rashid ordered the land to be divided into small plots and sold by auction to Nationals.

Proviso was they develop the land within a specified time otherwise he took the land back.

Jumeirah

In 1950 Dubai's coastline was beach, beach and more beach.

Small villages such as Jumeirah and Umm Sequeim existed on the coast but there were no roads to these villages.

First road to these villages was built in the later 1960s.

Abu Dhabi

Only sand dunes and sea between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Travel between these two places in 1950 would have been by camel.

Abu Dhabi-Dubai Road was not built until the late 1970s.

Later this was renamed Sheikh Zayed Road.

About this Photo.

Probably one of a series of aerial photos taken in 1950.

Photo shows Dubai divided into three main areas, Diera being the larger area. Shindaga is the smallest ares, separated from both Diera and Dubai.

Bastakia was than a separate area just outside Dubai Town.

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