Dubai South is Dubai's New Development with:
Al Maktoum Airport planned to be the largest in the World.
Resident Population expected to be One Million
Dubai South to host Expo 2020 (now delayed)
Planned Residential Areas in Dubai South
Image Credit Dubai South
Sheikh Rashid planned to develop Jebel Ali into an Industrial Complex with its own port, airport and township.
He went ahead with building Jebel Ali Port but never implemented the other parts of his plan.
Jebel Ali Port Construction commenced in 1977.
Jebel Ali Village was the name given to the accommodation complex built to house the Construction Contractors' Staff.
JAV's remoteness from Dubai meant JAV had to be self sufficient.
The resulting Community Lifestyle meant Residents had a strong attachment to JAV
That attachment remained even after they moved away from JAV.
Jebel Ali Village 1977
Around 1977 Sheikh Rashid (then Ruler of Dubai) announced a new city, airport and seaport to be built at Jebel Ali.
He ordered the seaport to be built and reserved land for the town and airport. His intention was to bring industrial development to Dubai.
Around the time he also ordered Port Rashid to be extended. His intention was the two ports to be complementary.
There was also a suspicion Sheikh Rashid had a hidden purpose in his announcement!
By 1977 Sheikh Rashid was dissatisfied with the lack of progress in UAE's development since 1971.
UAE's original Constitution provided for a new Capital City to be built but no agreement had been reached on building it. Sheikh Rashid's announcement maybe have signalled his intention to build that Capital City - Jebel Ali New Town was close to Abu Dhabi's border.
Late 1970s, a disagreement over a senior appointment to UAE's fledgling Army led to a UAE Government political crisis.
UAE Defence Force divided and reverted to their Emirate allegiances. Abu Dhai/Dubai Border was closed and separate commands of the UAE took up positions either side of the border facing wach other.
After five days thie situation was resolved by Sheikh Rashid being appointed UAE's Prime Minister and Abu Dhabi being declared UAE's Capital City under a revised Constitution.
Jebel Ali New Town became Jebel Ali Village. The Airport was not built but remained on Dubai's Development Plan while Jebel Ali Port went ahead as planned.
In 2010 Al Maktoum International Airport opened located 37 kilometres southwest[3] of Dubai in Jebel Ali.
It is the main part of Dubai South, a planned residential, commercial and logistics complex.