OUGD504 - Initial Mindmap

Mindmap of Key Themes and Information found from Research

After researching into Dubai as a place, its traditions and how it grew to be the city it is today, a mindmap was created of all the key bits taken from the research.

Key areas considered to represent Dubai were:

- The Geography of the Area 

Many of the places that were listed as being within the guide sit within the same geographical area, around the beach and the Sheikh Zayed Road (also known as 'The Strip') which is the main road running through Dubai. This area could be physically used as a center point for the design. In terms of the geographic landscape of Dubai there is a large contrast in the natural and urban surroundings.

- Architecture and Building

The shapes of some of the well known buildings are influenced by aspects of Dubai's traditions / things in the landscape, creating a blend between modern, existing and past. The city as a whole is futuristic and is constantly looking forward with progressive projects. The city has rapidly expanded through developments and is one of the fastest growing cities in the world but has been meticulously planned.

- City of Extremes 

Dubai is well known for its excessiveness in terms of it climate, landscape and wealth. Dubai has built many record breaking buildings and features. Its climate means temperatures are very high which affects how people use their time and has led to air conditioning being necessary to allow people to enjoy the city inside during the day. The city as a whole has many elements that contrast and juxtapose one another. The difference in lifestyles between the rich and the migrant laborers within the city is huge, whilst the combination of the desert landscape and the futuristic city seems impossible.

- Tradition vs Modern Life 

Although the city itself is very progressive and modern, traditional practices within Dubai are still carried out and work alongside modern life. There has been a conscious aim to preserve these and bring them together into modern Dubai.  

- What Dubai was built on

Dubai's huge wealth developed from various industries throughout its history, such as pearl diving and oil, leading it to grow rapidly, becoming the city it is today. It has also strategically used its resources to shape new ways of funding the progression of the city for when old revenues dry up e.g. oil. Putting money into Finance, Services, Tourism and Retail has created stability after oil.