HYDROPOLIS

Currently under construction in Dubai, Hydropolis will be the world's first luxury underwater hotel. It will include three elements: the land station, where guests will be welcomed, the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares, about the size of London's Hyde Park.

"Currently under construction in Dubai, Hydropolis will be the world's first luxury underwater hotel."

"Hydropolis is not a project; it's a passion," enthuses Joachim Hauser, the developer and designer of the hotel. His futuristic vision is about to take shape 20m below the surface of the Persian Gulf, just off the Jumeirah Beach coastline in Dubai.

The £300m, 220-suite hotel was due to open by the end of 2006 but has experienced delays and is now scheduled to open in 2009. It will incorporate a host of innovations that will take it far beyond the original blueprint for an underwater complex worthy of Jules Verne.

There are only a few locations in the world where such a grandiose dream could be realised. A high proportion of today's architectural marvels are materialising like fanciful mirages from the desert sands. We have come to expect extravagant enterprises to be mounted in the Middle East, and especially in Dubai. "This venture could only be born here in Dubai," says Hauser. "It [has] a very open-minded, international community - and that's what makes it so special."

The land on which Hydropolis is being built belongs to His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. It was his last free beach property on this stretch of coast. The project is a fantastic one, yet Sheikh Mohammed's success record with comparable schemes instils confidence that science fiction can become fact. With his support, several companies have been formed to kick-start this phenomenal project, and around 150 firms are currently involved.

"There have been many visions of colonising the sea – Jules Verne, Jean Gusto and several Japanese architects – but no one has ever managed to realise this dream," says Hauser. "That was the most challenging factor, and that's what makes it so fascinating. Despite being a dream of mankind for centuries, nobody has ever been able to make living underwater possible."

UNDERWATER HOTEL DESIGN

The original idea for Hydropolis developed out of Hauser's passion for water and the sea, and goes much deeper than just building a hotel underwater. More than just curiosity, it is a commitment to a more far-reaching philosophy. "Once you start digging deeper and deeper into the subject, you can't help being fascinated and you start caring about all the associated issues," he explains. "Humans consist of 80% water, the earth consists of 80% water; without water there is no life."

Hydropolis reproduces the human organism in an architectural design. There is a direct analogy between the physiology of man and the architecture. The geometrical element is a figure eight lying on its side and inscribed in a circle. The spaces created in the basin will contain function areas, such as restaurants, bars, meeting rooms and theme suites. These can be compared to the components of the human organism: the motor functions and the nervous and cardiovascular systems, with the central sinus knot representing the pulse of all life.

The ballroom, located at this nerve centre, will have asymmetrical pathways connecting the different storeys along ramps. A large, petal-like retracting roof will enable the staging of open-sky events. Staircases, lifts and ramps will provide access to the ballroom, while flanking catering areas will supply banquets and receptions.

HYDROPOLIS LAND STATION

In order to enter this surreal space, visitors will begin at the land station. This 120m woven, semicircular cylinder will arch over a multi-storey building. On the lowest level passengers board a noiseless train propelled by fully automated cable along a modular, self-supporting steel guideway to Hydropolis. A just-in-time and on-demand logistical system will facilitate efficient supply of goods to the hotel.

"The £300m, 220-suite hotel is scheduled to open in 2009."

The upper storeys of the land station house a variety of facilities, including a cosmetic surgery clinic, a marine biological research laboratory and conference facilities. On the lower levels are the staff rooms, goods storage and loading areas, and hotel and parking areas.

The land station also includes a restaurant and high-tech cinema screening the evolution of life in the ocean and the history of underwater architecture. As a finale, the screen will open to reveal the real-life Hydropolis. A viewing platform at the front opening of the spanning roof will allow views of the architecture as well as the light shows of Hydropolis.

MARINE ARCHITECTURE

This structure promises to be a conceptual as well as a physical landmark. While human beings accept the existence of water, we have only a superficial appreciation of its significance. "We waste it, go swimming in it and generally take it for granted," says Hauser. "Humans could actually live self-sufficiently underwater, generating energy, nurturing food supplies and so on. This is why we are starting a foundation to demonstrate something of the importance of water in our lives.

"My general plan was to create a living space in the sea. My initial proposal was a deep-sea project, which looked very different. I had to adjust to the local reality of the natural surroundings and change to a shallow-water construction.

"We want to create the first ever faculty for marine architecture because I believe that the future lies in the sea, including the future of city planning. I am certain that one day a whole city will be built in the sea. Our aim is to lay the first mosaic by colonising the sea."

Hauser plans to incorporate many different elements associated with the sea. The cosmetics will be ocean-based, the cinemas will screen films that focus on aquatic themes and a children's seaworld will educate as well as entertain.

He views his creation as a place where those who do not dive – or do not even swim – can experience the tranquillity and inspiration of the underwater world. "We are expecting around 3,000 visitors a day in addition to the hotel guests. The aim is to inspire people to develop a new awareness of the sea."

As well as emphasising the positive aspects of water, Hauser also believes we are systematically destroying marine life, and thus wishes to draw attention to various dangers and problems, such as the loss of algae and the destruction of the coral reefs.

FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT

Dreams, however fabulous, remain unfulfilled without the cash to support the commitment. "The hardest part of the process was finding sponsorship to the tune of €550m," admits Hauser. "That's what brought me to Dubai. Still, it was a battle which took two-and-a-half years and proved tougher than developing the project itself. No bank would pay such an amount. It's a risky investment, as there are no pilots. We had to convince investors that it is safe and will bring returns on investment."

With official blessing, the Dubai Development & Investment Authority (DDIA) established a framework to handle grants and authorisations. Once the financial backing was guaranteed, the sonar analysis of the seabed complete and 7,000 anchors in place, construction began in summer 2005.

"The original idea for Hydropolis developed out of Hauser's passion for water and the sea."

"We are sure that this hotel will set a precedent," says Hauser. "Crescent-Hydropolis is now planning a chain of underwater hotels, and nine countries have shown interest. Some will be the realisation of my initial deep-sea design." Hauser has even chosen to make his permanent home in Dubai. "And that won't change after the project [is finished], regardless of where our next project will be. The infrastructure is exceptionally good here - and it seldom rains!"

KEY PLAYERS

Crescent Hydropolis Holdings LLC were the original intellectual property rights developer and are acting as the project developers, with SIBC Industrial Building Consultants as the global project managers.

Consultation has come from Q3A+D Limited as architecture and design consultants and Siemens I&S IS Facility & Systems Engineering as the technical engineering consultants. OSTSEE-KONTOR GmbH are providing the marine and naval surveying services.

Design, architecture and interior scenery is being provided by 3-Deluxe System Modern GmbH. The underwater foundation, tunnel and access way will be the work of DCN Duik Combinatie Nederland BV

TOURISM

Bigger, better, brighter – that's Dubai's tourism sector! Contributing an estimated 18% of the emirate's direct GDP and 30% of its indirect, according to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai's hotels and apartments attracted around 6.5m visitors, the majority of whom were European, in 2007, generating more than $3.5bn in revenues. Dubai's tourism sector is powering ahead in every segment; retail, through events such as the annual Dubai Shopping Festival; sports, through the likes of the Desert Classic Golf Tournament; meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), set to receive a boost when the Dubai Trade Centre Jebal Ali is completed in 2010; and medical tourism. One thing the visitor to Dubai knows to expect is quality– Dubai is home to the world's only seven-star hotel and luxury locations such as this will soon be added to by Dubailand, set to be the world's largest entertainment and leisure complex. To cater for all this activity, the Al Maktoum Airport, slated for completion in 2015, is expected to be the world's largest airport complex with six runways, a port, attached residential areas and hotels as well as a free trade zone with the capacity to handle between 120m and 150m passengers.

The chapter includes an interview with Khalid bin Sulayem, Director- General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free (DDF) and Helal S K Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre Corporation.

LUXURIOUS PROJECTS FOR THE FUTURE

Dubai projects are fantastic. For example Burj Dubai which is promising to become the highest tower in the world. It will have 700 meters of height (currently, the highest is the Taipei 101 building in Taiwan, with 508 meters). Beside him is The Dubai Mall, the world's most colossal shopping and promises to be among its attractions the ice rink and the largest Imax cinema of the world.

The idea is to prepare the city for the ten million tourists are expected to arrive in 2010, and enjoy wonders still under construction, such as Dubai Marina, with its eleven km of quays and condos running along the coast, or Dubailand , which announced to be the largest entertainment center in the world, with six tematic worlds and megasporting city where you can practice all sports, including a huge snowy ski hill, or Hydropolis, the world's first underwater hotel, which is called HIYDROPOLIS.

The icing on the cake will be the four largest residential projects in recent times: the palm Jebel Ali and Deira Jumeirah, built on artificial islands in the Sea and The World, an archipelago in the shape of the five continents, and where celebrities and millionaires have already started booking their land.

YOU CAN NOT MISS IT!!!

Dubai is the tourist town par excellence. It has the only seven-star hotel on the planet. Plans to create an archipelago called The World, which will recreate at the five continents, and whose lands are being acquired by celebrities and millionaires. A mixture of Islam, art and opulence, the so-called City of Gold where he was surprised by looking. This is not a city in another world, but sometimes it seems to be

Arab Emirates, have existed since three decades ago, but today is the world's economic powers. This country was transformed from a small kingdom of nomads to wealthy oil power. It goes on the way to becoming one of the touristic and financial centers in the world, and already has a face that dazzles: Dubai, the jewel of the Arabian Gulf and one of the most amazing cities in the Middle East.

In fact, we should call it emirate like his six fellow federal forming the United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi (the largest, Dubai is the second largest), Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. While all share the fact of being a sort of oasis in the desert of Rub andalusia Kahli, one of the most arid in the world, the difference is that each has its own governor and its own laws.

The Dubai project was nothing but a small human settlement on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, supported by fishing and trading of precious stones. It had always ben a dominated community, by the Turks at first, then by the Mongols, the Portuguese and finally the British. They were in the area until 1971, when most of the kingdoms (except Qatar and Bahrain) have agreed to unite and form the United Arab Emirates.

The architect of this was the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who ruled Dubai until his death in November 2004. Under his mandate, in November 2004. Under his tenure, the emirate became a sophisticated city with a powerful economy, which relies not only on oil but also in trade and tourism.

The beginning of any visit to the city is the Dubai Creek, a canal that goes from the sea and divides into two.

On the north is Deira, the commercial and traditional, and Bur Dubai on the south, where are mixed historical city with modern neighborhoods.

This city is not easy to navigate on foot, but can walk on the waterfront to board a water taxi or open, and thus avoided cues of bridges and tunnels. Work until midnight and a ten-minute journey costing thirty cents on the dollar. Now, if you want something more comprehensive to navigate the channel, Creekside Leisure trips of an hour ago in dhows, traditional fishing boats suitable andalusia tourism ($ 10).

It is advisable to go in Deira, the center of trade and the souks, the traditional markets. For twenty dirhams ($ 6) you can smoke shisha, the famous Arabic water pipe with nice essences snuff. Here you can also try some local food such as falafel (fried balls made from mashed chickpeas and sesame seeds), labbouleh (soaking maize and mixed with tomatoes, onions, mint and parsley) or Koussa Mahshi ( stuffed courgettes). You will not find pork. It is forbidden by Islam. The coffee is served gahwa traditional or no sugar and is a symbol of welcome and hospitality.

Dubai is also known as the City of Gold, so if windows or if you want to watch your wallet holds go to Gold Souk (Nr. Intl Hyatt Regency, Deira). It is a maze of shops selling gold jewelry and gemstones. Or go to the covered souk and the Deira Tower, ideal for carpets and spices.

Jumeirah neighborhood is lavish homes, luxury hotels and night life. It has excellent beaches and one of the most beautiful mosques in the Middle East. It is the only one that can be visited in Dubai. Jumeirah in some 400 hotels and 75 percent, five stars. The most famous is the Burj Al Arab, whose peculiar shape stands out miles away. Is on an artificial island, is the world's tallest hotel and the only seven stars hotel, because of the variety of services it has.

If those coincidences of life does not have three thousand dollars a day to stay there, at least know that you can see it from the beach. Seem then that is not in the Middle East, between dunes and camels. No way. You are in Dubai.