Architectural photos of 1970s Dubai show the birth of the modern city
CNN
The development of modern Dubai is highlighted in the Jameel Art Centre exhibition "Off Centre / On Stage."
(CNN) — Dubai's skyline is adorned with record-breaking buildings. From the world's tallest building -- the 828-meter-tall (2,716-foot) Burj Khakifa -- to the world's tallest hotel -- the 356-meter-tall (1,168-foot) Gevora Hotel -- ambitious architectural projects populate the city.
These buildings are designed to give Dubai a reputation for architectural splendor, part of the city's pursuit of international recognition -- currently exemplified by the World Expo it's hosting for the next five months.
However, Dubai's desire for attention is not new. The desert city set out on its quest to become a place of architectural eye candy in the mid 1970s, when construction began on Dubai World Trade Centre, according to architect Todd Reisz, author of "Showpiece City: How architecture made Dubai."