Dubai to create The Universe: more artificial islands

The World is not enough for big stars...
Sonia Verma, The Times 21 Jan 08;

Environmentalists have said that dredging the ocean floor to build the islands is wreaking havoc on marine life and coral reefs. However, Nakheel said that its projects were ecologically sound. “We are building this with a lot of warning so we can manage water and energy supplies rather than just plonking something in the sea and turning on the tap,

Rod Stewart is believed to have bought Britain and Angelina Jolie is said to own Ethiopia, but the singer is not our new head of state and the actress has not yet saved Africa's poor.

Instead, the A-list stars are expected to be the new king and queen of plots of land that represent the countries in The World - the cluster of islands created by Dubai's ruling al-Maktoum family that form part of what can be described as the most ambitious development in the galaxy.

That's because next to The World, Nakheel, the developer, plans to build The Universe, its latest attempt to trump itself in the Gulf's surreal property game.

Inspired by the “wonders of the solar system”, The Universe will feature man-made islands built in the shape of the Sun and the Moon, with a string of planets in between. Nakheel's plans show a ringed island of Saturn and Jupiter, the largest planet, divided into three sections. It said that demand would determine the final size of The Universe, which is due for completion in 15 to 20 years' time.

Nestled between two of Nakheel's three Palm developments, The Universe will house luxury homes, shopping centres and miles of beachfront.

Environmentalists have said that dredging the ocean floor to build the islands is wreaking havoc on marine life and coral reefs. However, Nakheel said that its projects were ecologically sound. “We are building this with a lot of warning so we can manage water and energy supplies rather than just plonking something in the sea and turning on the tap,” Shawn Lenehan, its head of environment, said.

Nakheel declined to comment on how much The Universe would cost to build.

The $3billion (£1.52billion) first phase of The World was completed last week. Prices for plots are thought to range from $28million to $263million.