Like his father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum shared an ambitious vision to create a dazzling metropolis like no other. With year-round sun and crystalline waters, a tradition of Arab hospitality forged during hundreds of years of trading and a strategic location between East and West, he looked to transform Dubai into a global tourist destination.
Recognizing the need for beaches to build a unique touristic infrastructure and attract millions of tourists a year, the city’s 72 Km coastline became his focus.
The success of Port Rashid, Jebel Ali Port and other private developments meant much of Dubai’s littoral was already occupied, but His Highness Sheikh Mohammed devised a solution: to acquire more beachfront through the creation of a manmade island.
The first suggestion presented to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was a circular island that would add 7 Km to Dubai’s coast. However, His Highness had greater aims: an island that would add ten times more coastline.
The initial design developed to preliminary sketches including a sun-like shape. During discussions about the island, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed requested road access to be added, which would significantly increase the size of the project.
With this addition, the sketch began to resemble a date palm tree, the organically chosen shape, a symbolic icon of the region’s dendrology which would position Dubai on the world’s map and would become one of its most distinguished characteristics internationally.
The unique geometry of the Palm-shaped island created the longest stretch of a new beachfront, almost doubling the city’s natural coastline by adding 70 Km to its length.
During the 2001 edition of Cityscape Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed announced Dubai would build one of the world’s most ambitious projects, a Palm shaped island named Palm Jumeirah.
Visible from outer space, Palm Jumeirah would represent a pioneering symbol of Dubai’s transformation into one of the world’s most inspirational, exciting and successful cities and its ability to embrace endless potential.
“It takes a man of vision to write on water”
- H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
In line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to create an environmentally friendly development, Palm Jumeirah would be made from only natural materials. Symbolically, transforming rocks and sands from the UAE would demonstrate Dubai’s commitment to protecting the environment as well as honoring its rich history in its future growth.
Emerging from the sea, the palm shaped island would reflect Dubai’s rich heritage, which had long used palms as a source of sustenance, shelter and trade. The date palm tree represents the difficult path to sweet success: its trunk is rough and has no branches, which would make the climb easier. He who wants to reach the sweet fruits must go a long and difficult path before: “Ex Duris Gloria”, from hard things, glory.