Dubai Creek in the early 1960s, with Deira on the left. Across the Creek at the top of the photo is Bur Dubai, with Shindagha on the right.
Dubai Creek in the early 1960s, with Deira on the left. Across the Creek at the top of the photo is Bur Dubai, with Shindagha on the right.
The Clock Tower dominates its surroundings in the 1970s.
The Clock Tower dominates its surroundings in the 1970s.
Deira is one of Dubai's oldest neighbourhoods. The Omar Ali bin Haider mosque – with its striking minaret and white dome – has welcomed worshippers since 1952.
Deira is one of Dubai's oldest neighbourhoods. The Omar Ali bin Haider mosque – with its striking minaret and white dome – has welcomed worshippers since 1952.
Deira is also home to striking buildings with distinctive architecture, like Deira Tower.
Deira is also home to striking buildings with distinctive architecture, like Deira Tower.
The neighbourhood's famed gold souq attracts tourists from across the world.
The neighbourhood's famed gold souq attracts tourists from across the world.
Shoppers in a jewellery shop at the Gold Souq in Deira
Shoppers in a jewellery shop at the Gold Souq in Deira
The neighbourhood is also home to small shops and repair services such as Khan shoe shop.
The neighbourhood is also home to small shops and repair services such as Khan shoe shop.
The Deira Clock Tower has remained a much-loved feature of the area through the years.
The Deira Clock Tower has remained a much-loved feature of the area through the years.
Deira is one of Dubai's most densely packed neighbourhoods. Authorities imposed a lockdown in April 2020 to curb the spread of Covid-19 and its normally busy roads fell quiet.
Deira is one of Dubai's most densely packed neighbourhoods. Authorities imposed a lockdown in April 2020 to curb the spread of Covid-19 and its normally busy roads fell quiet.
The roundabout at Deira Clock Tower was eerily empty during the stay-at-home order in April, 2020.
The roundabout at Deira Clock Tower was eerily empty during the stay-at-home order in April, 2020.
Health volunteers pass through a sterilisation chamber installed to disinfect residents entering and leaving the Naif area in Dubai's Deira during the Covid-19 outbreak, on April 15, 2020.
Health volunteers pass through a sterilisation chamber installed to disinfect residents entering and leaving the Naif area in Dubai's Deira during the Covid-19 outbreak, on April 15, 2020.
But now life is returning to normal in Naif. Trader Fawaz Bello said in April 2021 that the situation had improved.
But now life is returning to normal in Naif. Trader Fawaz Bello said in April 2021 that the situation had improved.
Major development now lines the Deira side of Dubai Creek with the distinctive circular top of Deira Tower visible at centre right.
Major development now lines the Deira side of Dubai Creek with the distinctive circular top of Deira Tower visible at centre right.
But the past is never far behind, as this shot of an old water tank in Deira shows.
But the past is never far behind, as this shot of an old water tank in Deira shows.
The Deira Clock Tower reminds Dubai of its past as it looks to the future.
The Deira Clock Tower reminds Dubai of its past as it looks to the future.

UAE

Here's why old Dubai is cooler in temperature than the rest of the city

The designers of tree-less suburban streets and boxy homes could learn much from the archictects of the old quarter

Daniel Bardsley
Daniel Bardsley

February 27, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

As the mercury rises in the UAE, the typical way to keep the temperature down is to crank up the air conditioning.

Yet before the modern era, such technology did not exist, so lower-tech methods, such as wind towers and shaded areas, were used to keep buildings and neighbourhoods cool.

Latest research in the Emirates has found that many traditional elements of design still have much to offer when it comes to minimising temperatures.

A recently published study showed that older-style neighbourhoods are likely to be around 1°C cooler than those with contemporary designs.

Traditional architecture is an environment-responsive form of architecture. Contemporary architecture focuses on style - despite the urgent need for sustainability
Researchers writing in Ain Shams Engineering Journal

"The organic streets and compacted semi-attached buildings in the organic urban layout of the old district created more shaded areas and decreased the outdoor air temperature in the old district," researchers from Ajman University and the University of Sharjah wrote in Ain Shams Engineering Journal.

The researchers used computer simulations to identify what makes traditional neighbourhoods cooler, comparing the traditional Al Fahidi area of Dubai with a modern district of Ajman, Al Raqaib 2, part of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme.

Al Fahidi, which has about 60 residential buildings, dates back to the 1890s and is one of Dubai’s oldest districts.

Design elements to keep temperatures cool including barajeel or wind towers, and riwaqs, which are porticos or arcades that are open on at least one side. Many pathways are shaded, reducing heat gain.

Courtyards, along with the varied heights of the buildings in the district, some four metres tall, some eight metres and others 12 metres, improve air circulation.

In the Al Raqaib 2 area, there are only two-storey detached buildings, which are about eight metres tall, so airflow is not promoted, and little shading is provided by the wide, perpendicular streets.

"The new district’s detached buildings and straight, wide, perpendicular streets decreased the shaded areas and increased the solar gain," the researchers wrote.

In the UAE, modern buildings reflect the fact that, the researchers said, architects have "focused on imported designs with fixed functions or forms", instead of designing buildings to cope with the harsh desert conditions.

The study found that, in March, the maximum outdoor temperature in the traditional district was around 28.3°C, compared to 27.37°C in the modern district, a difference of 0.93°C.

During peak of the summer, in August, the temperature was 0.85°C cooler in Al Fahidi, at 42.38°C compared to 43.23°C in Al Raqaib 2.

The findings were made by Dr Muna Salameh and Ayat El Khazindar from the College of Architecture, Art and Design at Ajman University, and Dr Emad Mushtaha, of the College of Engineering at the University of Sharjah.

More sustainable ways to cool buildings are seen as important if the world is to limit energy use and reach net zero carbon emissions.

Globally, air conditioners and fans used to keep buildings cool account for nearly one-fifth of electricity consumption in buildings, according to the International Energy Agency.

In the UAE, according to statistics cited in the new paper, the figure is much higher, with 57.5 per cent of energy consumption of buildings accounted for by devices that keep them cool.

Read more

Is environmental destruction creating 'eco-anxiety' in us?

Energy consumption to keep buildings cool is set to increase substantially, with World Bank figures indicating that by 2050, there will be three billion air conditioners globally – three times as many as now.

While retrospectively adding certain design features to modern neighbourhoods (such as courtyards or variation in building heights) to keep them cool is not possible, the researchers said that things could be done to reduce temperatures.

Adding grass to vacant land areas reduces the solar gain, they said, while installing shading devices cuts heating from the sun. Installing shading was found to be particularly effective.

The researchers indicated that architects could incorporate elements from traditional design when crafting modern buildings.

"Traditional architecture has a strong capability to handle climate effects, as it is an environment-responsive form of architecture," the researchers wrote.

"However, contemporary architecture focuses on style despite the urgent need for sustainability."

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

While you're here
While you're here...
While you're here
Brief scores

Barcelona 2

Pique 36', Alena 87'

Villarreal 0

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Scream%20VI
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ovasave%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Majd%20Abu%20Zant%20and%20Torkia%20Mahloul%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Healthtech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Three%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24400%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin

The biog

Favourite colour: Brown

Favourite Movie: Resident Evil

Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices

Favourite food: Pizza

Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon

Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs

UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv

Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium

While you're here
THE SPECS

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8​​​​​​​

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 542bhp​​​​​​​

Torque: 680Nm​​​​​​​

Price: Dh465,071

While you're here
What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

On Women's Day
The Indo-Pacific
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

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Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Mountain%20Boy
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zainab%20Shaheen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Naser%20Al%20Messabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Chris%20Jordan%20on%20Sanchit
%3Cp%3EChris%20Jordan%20insists%20Sanchit%20Sharma%20will%20make%20an%20impact%20on%20the%20ILT20%2C%20despite%20him%20starting%20the%20campaign%20on%20Gulf%20Giants'%20bench.%3Cbr%3EThe%20young%20UAE%20seamer%20was%20an%20instant%20success%20for%20the%20side%20last%20season%2C%20and%20remained%20part%20of%20the%20XI%20as%20they%20claimed%20the%20title.%3Cbr%3EHe%20has%20yet%20to%20feature%20this%20term%20as%20the%20Giants%20have%20preferred%20Aayan%20Khan%20and%20Usman%20Khan%20as%20their%20two%20UAE%20players%20so%20far.%3Cbr%3EHowever%2C%20England%20quick%20Jordan%20is%20sure%20his%20young%20colleague%20will%20have%20a%20role%20to%20play%20at%20some%20point.%3Cbr%3E%22Me%20and%20Sanchit%20have%20a%20great%20relationship%20from%20last%20season%2C%22%20Jordan%20said.%3Cbr%3E%22Whenever%20I%20am%20working%20with%20more%20inexperienced%20guys%2C%20I%20take%20pleasure%20in%20sharing%20as%20much%20as%20possible.%3Cbr%3E%22I%20know%20what%20it%20was%20like%20when%20I%20was%20younger%20and%20learning%20off%20senior%20players.%3Cbr%3E%22Last%20season%20Sanchit%20kick-started%20our%20season%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20with%20a%20brilliant%20man-of-the-match%20performance.%3Cbr%3E%22Coming%20into%20this%20one%2C%20I%20have%20seen%20a%20lot%20of%20improvement.%20The%20focus%20he%20is%20showing%20will%20only%20stand%20him%20in%20good%20stead.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees

Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.

Info

What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship

When: December 27-29, 2018

Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823

The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency
More from Neighbourhood Watch

The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press

On Women's Day
History's medical milestones

1799 - First small pox vaccine administered

1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery

1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases

1895 - Discovery of x-rays

1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time

1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin

1953 - Structure of DNA discovered

1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place 

1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill

1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.

1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out

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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

The biog

Name: Sarah Al Senaani

Age: 35

Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2

Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism

Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding

Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier

Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish

Updated: February 28, 2023, 4:30 PM`