The Eighth Wonder Of the
World: “Palm Jumeirah”
Course: Global Environmental
Challenges (EHS301)
Submitted by
● Sayada Nazila (2023-1-11-028)
● Fariha Mahzabin Wridddhi (2023-1-11-040)
● Taspia Islam (2023-1-11-044)
● Sraboni Rani Saha ( 2023-1-11-066)
Submitted to
Md Rezwan Siddiqui
Senior Lecturer
Department of Social Relation
East West University
The Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island located off the coast of Dubai,
United Arab Emirates. Shaped like a palm tree, it is one of the most iconic
artificial islands in the world and part of the larger Palm islands project.
A megaproject is a large-scale, complex venture that typically costs US$1
billion or more, takes many years to develop and build, involves multiple
public and private stakeholders, is transformational, and impacts millions
of people.
Flyvbjerg introduced the framework of the four sublimes of megaprojects
from which he explained the factors that drive megaproject development
and that play a significant role in megaproject decision making.
Types of Sublime Characteristic
Technological The excitement engineers and
technologists
derive from pushing the envelope
for what is
possible in the “longest–tallest–
fastest” types
of projects.
Political The personal satisfaction politicians
get from
building monuments to themselves
and their
causes, and from the visibility this
generates
with the public and media.
Economic The prestige business people and
trade
unions get from making lots of
money and
creating jobs from megaprojects,
including
for contractors, workers in
construction and
transportation, consultants,
bankers, investors,
landowners, lawyers, and
developers.
Aesthetic The pleasure designers and people
who love
good design derive from building
and using
something very large that is also
iconic and
beautiful, such as the Golden Gate
Bridge in
San Francisco, California.
Table 1: The ‘four sublimes’ that drive megaproject development
(Flyvbjerg, 2017, p. 6).
➢ Common Drivers of The Palm Jumeirah from the perspective of
Flyvbjerg four sublimes:
Technology:
The Palm Jumeirah was designed by a team of over 40 consultants and
construction began in June 2001. It took six years to build and covers an
area equivalent to 600 football pitches.
Land Reclamation: The foundation of Palm Jumeirah involved extensive
land reclamation using sand dredged from the seabed. Specialized
dredgers pumped sand onto the construction site, creating the island's
base.
● GPS Precision: Satellite-guided technology ensured the precise
placement of sand to achieve the palm tree-shaped design.
● Breakwater Construction: A crescent-shaped breakwater surrounds
the palm to protect it from waves and storms. Made from millions of
tons of rock and sand, it required advanced hydrodynamic modeling
to ensure its stability and effectiveness.
● Environmental Monitoring: Technologies were used to assess and
minimize the impact on marine ecosystems during construction.
● Underwater Tunnels and Bridges: The crescent is connected to the
mainland and the fronds via a combination of bridges and underwater
tunnels, built using advanced civil engineering techniques.
● Artificial Reef Creation: Rocks placed in the surrounding waters
aimed to create habitats for marine life, leveraging ecological
engineering principles.
● Water Circulation: Gaps in the crescent ensure water circulation,
preventing stagnation and preserving water quality around the island.
Political:
The Palm Jumeirah was Dubai's strategic vision to diversify its economy
and reduce reliance on oil revenues. Under the leadership of Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the project symbolized Dubai's
ambition to become a global hub for tourism, luxury real estate, and
business.The Palm Jumeirah was part of a broader effort to enhance
Dubai’s global brand, attract foreign investment, and position the city as a
world-class destination, reinforcing its status as a key player in international
markets.
Economic:
Boost Tourism: Attract millions of international visitors through luxury
hotels, resorts, and entertainment venues.
Real Estate Development: Generate significant revenue by selling high-end
residential and commercial properties to wealthy investors globally.
Foreign Investment: Position Dubai as a desirable investment destination
for expatriates and global businesses.
Job Creation: Stimulate the local economy by creating thousands of jobs in
construction, hospitality, and retail.
Aesthetic
● An iconic and visually striking landmark that would symbolize Dubai’s
ambition and innovation.
● The palm tree design, visible from space, was chosen to blend
cultural significance with global appeal, representing prosperity in
Arab culture while captivating international attention.
● The island’s layout allowed for waterfront luxury living and resorts,
offering unique and scenic views of the Arabian Gulf, further
enhancing its all
Benefit and Attraction
● Exclusive waterfront properties, villas, and apartments with
high-end amenities.
● Proximity to Dubai’s business hubs, shopping destinations, and
entertainment areas.
● Stunning vistas of the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyview.
● Prestigious and highly sought-after real estate, with strong
rental and resale potential. A world-famous resort featuring an
aquarium, waterpark, and fine dining.
● A vibrant waterfront destination with restaurants, shops, and the
largest fountain show.
● High-end beach clubs like Club Vista Mare and Nakheel Mall
for relaxation and entertainment. Jet skiing, paddleboarding,
and yacht tours around the island.
➢ Characteristics of the megaproject (The Palm
Jumeirah)
Frick (2008) provides an interesting way of capturing the essence of
mega-projects. She refers to the six “C”s as being important in
characterizing mega-projects: colossal,costly, complex, captivating,
controversial and control issues.
Colossal:
The Palm Jumeirah is considered colossal due to its scale, ambition,
and transformative impact.
● The island required 94 million cubic meters of sand and 7 million
tons of rock, making it a massive engineering undertaking.
● It covers 5.72 square kilometers, creating an entirely new coastline
in Dubai.
● Shaped like a palm tree, it is a one-of-a-kind architectural and urban
planning marvel visible from space.
● The island added 560 hectares of new land for luxury residences,
hotels, and resorts.
● It is home to iconic structures like Atlantis, The Palm and hosts
countless high-end restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.
● Palm Jumeirah has put Dubai on the map as a symbol of human
ingenuity and luxury, drawing millions of tourists annually.
● It is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Costly:
The cost of the Palm Jumeirah megaproject is estimated to be around $12
billion. This includes the expenses associated with its design, construction,
infrastructure, and subsequent development of real estate and amenities.
Approximately $2 billion was spent on dredging, land formation, and
constructing the crescent-shaped breakwater.
● This involved moving millions of tons of sand and rock using
advanced dredging and precision placement techniques.
● Roads, tunnels, utilities, and transportation systems like the Palm
Monorail added significant costs.
● The cost of building villas, apartments, and hotels (like Atlantis, The
Palm) was a major contributor.
● Efforts to stabilize the artificial island and protect it from erosion
incurred additional expenses.
● Maintenance of the breakwater, coastline, and infrastructure
continues to be an ongoing financial commitment.
● A significant amount was invested in promoting Palm Jumeirah as a
global luxury destination, targeting international investors and
tourists.
● Rent for a studio apartment in Palm Jumeirah starts at AED 59000
and 3 bedroom apartments can cost from 175000 to 360000 AED.
Complex
The Palm Jumeirah is complex due to its engineering and design
challenges, as it was built on reclaimed land in the shape of a palm tree,
requiring:
Innovative Land Reclamation: Creating a stable artificial island using
millions of tons of sand and rock.
Advanced Infrastructure: Designing roads, tunnels, and utilities on a
unique layout.
Environmental Impact: Balancing construction with marine ecosystem
preservation.
This blend of technical, environmental, and architectural demands makes it
a feat of modern engineering.
Captivating
Palm Jumeirah is captivating because of its unique palm-tree shape,
visible from space, and its status as a modern engineering marvel. It
combines luxurious resorts, stunning beaches, and world-class
entertainment, offering a blend of exclusivity, innovation, and breathtaking
views of Dubai’s coastline.
Controversial:
Environmental Impact: Concerns about marine habitat disruption, coastal
erosion, and altered tidal patterns caused by land reclamation.
Sustainability Issues: High maintenance costs and potential long-term
stability challenges for the artificial structure.
Social and Economic Criticism: Perceived prioritization of luxury projects
over affordable housing or public infrastructure.
Control Issues
● The Palm Jumeirah’s initial completion was set for 2006, many
residential units and infrastructure projects were finalized years
behind schedule.Project delays escalated costs substantially.
● Maintaining budget control was a persistent challenge during the
construction of Palm Jumeirah. The final expenditure exceeded initial
projections by over 20%, underscoring the financial unpredictability of
projects on this scale.
● Difficulty in managing ongoing erosion, sedimentation, and water
circulation problems. Research published in the Journal of Coastal
Research highlighted a 30% reduction in water circulation around the
island, adversely affecting ocean biodiversity.
● Managing diverse stakeholders presented another challenge.Delayed
in property handovers and dissatisfaction with construction quality
sparked conflicts, with several investors filing lawsuits against
Nakheel the developer in 2007 who took the project .
According to Flyvbjerg (2017), there are ten main factors that decision
makers and other significant actors working on the implemen-tation of
megaprojects tend to overlook.
➢ Ten Factors from ‘The Palm Jumeirah’s perspective
Underestimated Complexity
● Engineering challenges in creating a stable, artificial island were
immense and more complicated than anticipated.
● Underestimating technical complexity often delays timelines and
increases costs.
Dysfunctional Leadership
Planners may have downplayed environmental impacts and exaggerated
economic gains to secure funding and approval.
Insufficient Stakeholder Engagement
● Palm Jumeirah concerns of local communities and environmental
groups were likely underrepresented.
● Neglecting stakeholder interests can lead to conflicts and reputational
damage.
Uniqueness Bias
The project caused significant environmental disruption, including harm to
marine ecosystems and coastal erosion. For making unique project
planners and managers neglecting environmental factors results in long-
term ecological and reputational costs.
"Lock-In" at an Early Stage
● Once construction began, alternatives (e.g., scaling down or
changing designs) became infeasible, even as challenges emerged.
● Lock-in constrains adaptability and may force projects to continue on
flawed premises.
Optimism Bias
● Unrealistic forecasts for profitability, tourism, and real estate demand
may have led to overestimated benefits.
● Over-optimism often disregards complexities in construction, market
fluctuations, and external factors like economic downturns.
Creating scope
● The project expanded in ambition over time, with additional
residential, commercial, and entertainment facilities.
● Such expansion often escalates costs, complexity, and timelines.
High Risk Activities ( Blackswan )
● Maintenance of the infrastructure and its ability to sustain long-term
tourism and residency was not fully accounted for.
● Poor planning for post-construction operations impacts the project's
success and sustainability.
Failure to account the complexity
● Planners underestimated risks such as rising sea
levels,environmental degradation, and economic recessions.
● Ignoring macro-environmental risks exposes projects to significant
vulnerabilities.
Cost overruns
● Financing relied on global markets, making it vulnerable to economic
crises like the 2008 financial crash.
● Overlooking financial volatility leads to budget overruns or incomplete
phases.
The key features of the project as designed and planned in the early
stages are summarised below:
Area 5.6 square kilometers
Construction start 2001
Land reclamation target Beginning 2004
Construction completion target 2008
Total Estimate Cost 4-6 bn $
Number of Housing units 4000
Number of hotel on crescent 22
➢ The common causes of poor performance of the
megaproject “The Palm Jumeirah”
The causes and cure of poor mega-project performance have been under
review since the 1970s. Three streams of investigation have emerged to
explain why mega-projects so often fail.
● Lack of shaping and “front-end loading”
● Strategic misrepresentation
● Lack of structured decision-making
Poor Performances
Cost Overruns: Initial budgets were far exceeded due to the complexity of
land reclamation and unforeseen engineering difficulties.
Poor Return on Investment (ROI): Despite its luxury appeal, the real
estate market on the island has struggled to maintain high property values.
2008 Financial Crisis Impact: The global downturn severely affected the
project's financial sustainability, delaying associated developments and
reducing property demand.
As of 2011, the Palm Jumeirah project is nearly fully completed yet some
key features and timeline differ from the early stages plan.in particular:
Land reclamation finish End 2003
Completion time 2008-2010
Total estimation cost 12.3 bn $
Number of housing units 8000
Number of hotel on crescent 28
Marine Ecosystem Damage: The extensive dredging and land
reclamation process caused significant harm to marine habitats, including
coral reefs and fish populations.
Erosion and Sediment Build-up: Changes in water currents caused by
the island's structure have led to coastal erosion and sediment deposition,
requiring ongoing and costly mitigation efforts.
Unprecedented Design Issues: The complexity of creating artificial
islands introduced technical challenges that affected the project's timeline
and quality.
Unrealistic Timelines: The initial timelines for construction and completion
proved overly optimistic, resulting in delays and increased costs.
Unproven Techniques: The scale and novelty of the project meant that
some engineering solutions were experimental, leading to unforeseen
completion.
High Maintenance Costs for Residents: Luxury property owners on the
island face high fees, which impact rental yields and resale values.
Traffic Congestion: The island's road infrastructure struggles to cope with
peak-time traffic, particularly during holidays and special events.
Rising Water Surface Temperature: The island’s surrounding water
surface temperature has gradually warmed since the island was built in
2001. The change map shows this change visually. The statistics of the
SST maps indicate that the mean of the SST around the island has
continuously increased from 27.5 °C in 2001 to 34.5 °C in 2014, 34.9 °C in
2016 and 2019, and finally, 35 °C in 2020. The maximum and minimum
SST also increased constantly from 28 and 26.7 °C, respectively, in 2001
to 36.7 and 34.3 °C, respectively, in 2020.
➢ The Palm Jumeirah from the point of social
conflict theory
Social conflict theory is a sociological framework that views society as an
arena of inequality where individuals and groups compete for limited
resources, such as wealth, power, and social status.
Conflict theory took shape in the late 50s in the 20th century, and it is an
important component of sociology. The conflict theory comes from the
ideologies of classical sociologists, especially the theories of Karl Marx,
Max Weber and Georg Simmel. The conflict theory emphasizes the
conflicts of social life, and uses it to explain the social change.
‘A study of megaproject from a perspective of social conflict theory’
highlights the relationship between mega project and social conflict by
exploring mega project from the perspective of the social conflict theory,
and develops a conceptual model of mega project, which includes three
propositions: (1)mega project is the outcome of social conflict; (2) it
functions as a safety valve in society; and (3) it has close relationships with
the level of political centralization and economic development. At the end,
this paper puts forward some suggestions about the construction of a
megaproject.
● Palm Jumeirah as an outcome of social conflict
Concentration of Wealth:The project caters primarily to high-income
individuals and investors, reinforcing economic divides by limiting benefits
to elite groups while neglecting broader societal needs.
Exploitation of Labor:Migrant workers who built the island faced harsh
working conditions and low wages, demonstrating the imbalance between
the profits enjoyed by developers and the struggles of laborers.
Environmental Inequity:The ecological damage caused by the project
disproportionately affects vulnerable communities dependent on marine
ecosystems, revealing a disregard for environmental justice.
Privatization and Exclusivity:The privatization of beaches and the
creation of exclusive luxury spaces limit public access, perpetuating spatial
and social inequalities.
● Palm Jumeirah functions as safety valve in society
Economic Growth:By creating a luxury destination, the Palm Jumeirah
attracts global investors, tourists, and businesses, boosting Dubai's
economy. This serves as a means to placate societal concerns about
unemployment or economic stagnation by generating jobs and revenue.
Symbol of Prestige: The project acts as a unifying symbol of national pride
and progress, fostering a sense of identity and accomplishment among
residents, even if its benefits are unevenly distributed.
Urban Expansion and Modernization:The project addresses the need for
urban growth and modernization, which helps alleviate pressures from
population growth and limited space, particularly in a rapidly developing city
like Dubai.
Tourism as a Distraction:The Palm Jumeirah serves as a leisure and
entertainment diverting public attention from structural issues, such as
economic inequality or labor exploitation, by emphasizing luxury and global
recognition.
● Political centralization and economic development
Political Centralization:
● The project was spearheaded by Nakheel, a government-owned
company, highlighting how centralized political power enables large-
scale urban projects.
● The Dubai government’s centralized authority facilitated streamlined
decision-making, land allocation, and regulatory frameworks, avoiding
delays often associated with decentralized systems.
● The centralized political agenda used the Palm Jumeirah as a tool to
project Dubai as a global hub for luxury, tourism, and innovation.
Economic Development:
● The project leveraged Dubai’s economic policies, such as free zones
and foreign property ownership laws, to attract international investors
and businesses.
● As a major tourist attraction, it contributes significantly to Dubai’s
GDP and diversification efforts away from oil dependency.
● The construction and operation of the Palm Jumeirah generated
employment, fueling economic activity.
The largest share of transactions was in the apartment segment, which
looks back at a near record-breaking quarter, both in volume and sales
prices. “300 flats were in Q2 alone; the highest since Q3 2015. And not
only that, but the average apartment deal size now stands at almost
1,800 dirhams per square foot, the highest level since 2016,” explained
Yasin Valimulla, an associate partner at Knight Frank Middle East.The
Covid-19 pandemic is playing its part in driving people to Palm
Jumeirah. Having faced lockdowns in crowded places, many premium-
segment buyers are keen to relocate to accommodations that offer more
space, while maintaining the luxury and exclusivity they are accustomed
to. Durrani: “The pandemic has triggered a shift to hybrid working
models and highlighted the value of personal space.
Economy Centralization Resolve
Politics: conflict:
Largely : : Nakheel economic
accessibl Exploitati own opportunit
e for on Government y,
elite, labour, company,Cen Balancing
powerful tralized elite and
political public
Yes
Culture:
Underlyin Social The
g Conflic Palm As safety
Others t Jumeira valve:
project,R h Economi
estrict c
public Diversion
access
No
Ecologic
al
Damage,
Figure: A conceptual model of The Palm Jumeirah from the
perspective of Social conflict theory
References
● Guangshe Jia, Fangjun Yang, Guangbin Wang, Baonan Hong, Rui
You,A study of mega project from a perspective of social conflict
theory,International Journal of Project Management,29,
(7),2011,Pages 817-827,ISSN 0263-7863,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2011.04.004.
● Söderlund Jonas, Sankaran Shankar, Biesenthal Christopher,
2017/12/01,The Past and Present of Megaprojects. Project
Management Journal, 48
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
326132806_The_past_and_Present_of_Megaprojects
● Brookes, Naomi 2014/01/01. Mankind and Mega-projects. Frontiers
of engineering Management,1,10
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276104454_Mankind_and_
Mega-projects
● Ankon, Engr. Adib 2017/07/14,Palm Jumeirah
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338865564_Palm_Jumeirah
● Mansourmoghaddam, M., Ghafarian Malamiri, H. R.,
Rousta,.Olafsson, H., & Zhang, H. (2022). Assessment of Palm
Jumeirah Island’s Construction Effects on the Surrounding Water
Quality and Surface
Temperatures during 2001–2020. Water, 14(4), 634.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w14040634
● Vedere,H., Thati, L.,(2021).A case study on the construction of
Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.International Journal of Research Publications
and Reviews,2(7),1999-2000
https://www.ijrpr.com/uploads/V2ISSUE7/IJRPR848.pdf
Task Contribution
Topic All
Common drivers, Benefit and Sayada Nazila
attraction, Causes of poor
performance
Characteristics of Megaproject Sraboni Rani Saha
Factors often overlooked during Fariha Mahzabin Wriddhi
planning
Megaproject from the Taspia Islam
perspective of social conflict
theory
