Why You Can’t Visit the Man-Made Islands in Dubai

In 2003, construction of an extensive group of islands in Dubai was announced. “The World” was just one of several multi-billion-dollar island projects that were designed in the form of palm trees and world continents.

They would also feature tourist resorts and luxurious homes just a short boat ride from Dubai. But a major setback is preventing visitors from exploring these man-made islands.

Real Estate Developers Envisioned New Islands

In the early 2000s, real estate developers saw an opportunity to create a series of artificial islands off the coast of Dubai. And no one had any reason to believe that the project would fail since the real estate boom in the Emirates was at an all-time high. But trouble was only a few years away.

Realtors Had a 20-Year Plan

The demand for ocean properties was big. Dubai had already expanded along most of its coast. So, Nakheel Properties, a real estate company owned by the government of Dubai, made plans for the next twenty years that would change the region for the better.

There Were Plans for Three New Islands

Between 2001 and 2006, Nakheel Properties planned three different island projects that would look like palm trees when viewed from space. The Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and the Palm Deira were by far the most ambitious islands. But there was an even bigger project in the works.

The World Project Provided New Opportunities

The company announced “The World” project, which included plans from low density housing to high density complexes, and even islands that could be used commercially.

In the second phase, the project was supposed to be supplemented by a bigger project called “The Universe.”