Dubai is the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates with more than 1.5 million inhabitants. However, in 1975 this number was much smaller, something around 183,200. Seen by the whole world as a futuristic and modern city, t's in constantly change, Dubai has invested heavily in architecture, hiring some of the most famoust architects to project its skyline.

The question I ask as an architect is: Is that the architecture of the future? Will Dubai be a reference for the world architecture?

Dubai in 1990

Dubai in 2003

In 2005 the real state sector contributed with 22,6% of the Emirates economy. On the other hand, the oil contributed with less than 6%. Another very interesting fact is that right now between 15% to 25% of the tower cranes in the world are in Dubai.

Take a look at some of the most unusual projects that I've selected and let me know what you think.

Rem Koolhas OMA

Deathstar

The Dubai Renaissance

Porsche Towers

Jebel al Jais Mountain Resort

Zaha Hadid

Dancing Towers

Abu Dhabi's Performing Arts Centre

Opus

David Fincher

The Rotation Tower

Jean Nouvel

Dubai Opera House

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Light Architecture

The Pixel Tower

The REEM Media Building

Atkins Architects

Anara Tower

The Oval Tower

The Lighthouse

Iris Bay

Burj Al Arab - Tower of the Arabs

Trump International Hotel and Tower

Skidmore, Owings and Merrill

The Infinity Tower

The Al Sharq Tower

Nadim Karam

The Cloud

Joachim Hauser

Hydropolis Underwater Hotel