In the far distant future, archeologists will pore over photographs such as this one as they attempt to unravel the story of Abu Dhabi. This image of the Etihad Towers under construction barely five years ago will represent what might be called the early 21st-century period of the city.
Abu Dhabi’s history can be divided into several phases. There is pre-oil, when this was little more than a community of a few thousand living in palm frond arish houses.
Then comes what might be termed the “Klondike” period, between 1959 and 1966, when oil saw the town become a city, expanding in chaotic fashion.
Almost all of this was swept away with the accession of Sheikh Zayed, who laid down the foundations of the city as it is today, bringing road grids, running water and the familiar districts. In the 1970s and 1980s, the city grew outwards across the island, with buildings growing ever taller and more numerous.
The 1990s saw a period of consolidation, followed by the current phase of growth which has pushed Abu Dhabi into what are now the suburbs of Khalifa City, Al Reef and Raha Beach. Still to come is the cultural district on Saadiyat island and the city’s metro, all part of the official vision for the year 2030. This is a story with a long way to go.
* James Langton
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
ODI FIXTURE SCHEDULE
First ODI, October 22
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Second ODI, October 25
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Third ODI, October 29
Venue TBC
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
