Dubai is often seen as a city built on oil wealth, but its transformation started long before oil arrived in 1966. In the early 1900s, it was a quiet village on the edge of the Arabian Gulf—lacking roads, electricity, and running water. Yet, amidst the harsh desert conditions, the seeds of ambition were already being planted.

This is the first of three episodes exploring Dubai's rise and the strategy behind its transformation. From its Bedouin roots to its early modernization efforts, we examine the calculated decisions that established an iconic global city. Before skyscrapers and luxury, resilience, risk-taking, and a long-term vision would shape Dubai’s future.

Episode Chapters

(02:56) Part 1 - The Desert

(29:12) Part 2 - The Sleepy Village

(39:53) Part 3 - The Collapse

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Episode 6

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