Today, life in the Emirates moves in the fast lane. In a new regular series to mark the 50th anniversary of the UAE we take a little trip back in time and see just how much the country has changed.
Few cities in the world evolve at such a speed as Dubai. Just how fast can be seen in the district now known as The Walk.
The older image seen here was taken in 2002, just outside the Hilton Hotel Jumeirah, which had opened three years earlier.
The photograph was taken by a guest at the hotel, Pete Egington, who had stepped out for a morning walk.
He was intrigued by the large stretch of desert that was in the process of being fenced off as far as the eye could see, which was the Sheraton.
Mr Egington recalled he had "no clue what it was at the time but could see it was going to be something quite big".
What was being built was Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), two square kilometres of apartments and hotels that is now home to around 15,000 people.
Construction on Dubai Marina had started in 2000 and both districts would reshape Dubai's skyline.
The single lane of tarmac with a few taxis waiting for Hilton guests is now The Walk, a 1.7 kilometre stretch of shops and restaurants that is one of Dubai’s most popular tourist attractions.
Mr Egington sent his photo to The National back in 2010, the year in which JBR was officially completed. But the changes did not stop there.
A decade later, even more development has completely obscured the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, which 11 years ago was visible from the Hilton, and with the view now including Dubai Marina and the new Ain Dubai observation wheel on Bluewaters Island.
Watch this space.
How Dubai Marina and JBR changed Dubai's skyline
