Most of Bastakia was still standing in 1976, albeit in deteriorating condition
Image is of Mohammed Sharif Bukhash's house
This building was demolished in early 1980s
Mohammed Sharif Bukhash House
Credit Pitt River Museum
Dubaiside of Dubai Creek remained largely unchanged into the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Its Creekside buildings had been built using traditional methods and now starting to deteriorate. Many had Windtowers.
These and a number of Bastakiya's Windtowers were soon to be demolished, replaced by a new Diwan, modern shops and stores, apartment blocks and office buildings.
Dubaiside's development had lagged behind Deira where Creekside land reclamation led to new buildings such as the Intercontinental Hotel and Apartments being constructed.
Peter Faulkner's unique images from an Abra capture Dubai as it used to be...
Peter Faulkner worked for Cable & Wireless and Emirtel in Dubai from 1975 to 79. Back then Dubai's communications were operated and managed by private companies. This abridged extract from a Gulf News Article explains.....
"Emirates Telecommunication Corporation established in 1976 as a joint stock company between International Aeradio Limited, a British company, and local partners. Several years later UAE Cabinet made the Company into a UAE-owned establishment following amendments stipulating the 60% Government Ownership and 20% UAE Public Ownership of the Share Capital with remaining 20% owned by foreign partners. UAE took over the company (known as Emirtel) on New Year's Day 1981. The Telco's rapid progress continued launching the Middle East's first mobile network in 1982. Ownership structure changed the following year with UAE Public Ownership increasing to 40% after a buyout of foreign partners. Key milestone was July 1984 when Emirtel changed its name to Etisalat, meaning "Communication"."
