Dubai: The City of… Cities?
Many of the newer regions in Dubai have the word ‘city’ attached to them. Personally I’m not sure if the person naming these places truly understands the definition of the word ‘city’. Or the monotony of repitition. I’ll admit there was a point when I thought the name ‘Dubai Internet City’ sounded quaint, but after the additions of Media City, Healthcare City, Motor City, Sports City, Studio City, Academic City, Maritime City (need I go on?) I began to tire of this naming convention.
I see the merit in gathering the same kinds of businesses in one area and then naming it accordingly, but that being said I’m not so sure about what makes International City so international. As far as I can see naming buildings after countries has not actually had an effect on who lives there. I’d be surprised if there is even one French person in International City’s France. At best it is home to a few of people who like croissants.
Sometimes, the people naming Dubai do like to think ever so slightly outside the box. And thus we have places like Knowledge Village, Jumeirah Village and Old Town (which is ironically new). And when they are feeling really creative we get places like Madinat Jumeirah (Madinat is the Arabic word for city). I wonder if city planners will ever dream bigger and start calling places ‘Oil & Gas Province’ or ‘Agriculture Country’.
I wish they would get more creative with their street names! I get all of the Skeikh and Mohammed and Zayed roads confused. When Emirates Road changed to Sheikh (whatever it is now, I don’t even remember) and Bypass Road changed to Emirates Road, I just threw up my hands and gave up. To me, they are “Old Emirates Road” and “New Emirates Road”.
Yeah I think they should have just renamed Bypass Road and left Emirates Road alone. I get so confused when people give me directions and mention Emirates Road.
And don’t even get me started on 2nd of December Street
The renaming of Diyafah St enraged me! It had so much more character before.
Good thinking A Collection of Musings but it could be worse , I remember seeing a sign that said Nowhere Street and what if they called a Town Hopelessville even the spellcheck won’t accept it 🙄
Christian Love from both of us – Anne
Your article is dumb and you should feel bad.
Thanks for your comment. Please share my piece ’10 Kinds of Annoying People’ https://acollectionofmusings.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/10-kinds-of-annoying-people/
with everyone you know. I’m sure they will be able to relate 🙂