The Dubai Palm Islands may well have a parallel in the Netherlands...yes you read right and its called Almere.Cities built on water are seldom seen but always an impressively innovative affair, the Palm Islands are a perfect example.
Dubai's Palm Islands are artificial peninsulas built on water and constructed of sand dredged from the bottom of the Persian Gulf (by no other than Dutch and Belgian dredging and marine contractors) and boasts 100 luxury hotels, exclusive residential beach side villas and apartments, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities and health spas.
Now the Dutch equivalent Almere while not as fancy or luxurious is not quite as fancy but is an artificial wonder. Initially just a fresh water lake before it was reclaimed (by dredging) and inhabited in 1975 Almere despite holding the title of "youngest City" in the Netherlands has a population of 190.000 inhabitants and 13.000 businesses.
No luxury hotels or beach side villas but Almere does have a marina, a hugely diverse shopping complex, restaurants, cafes a contemporary museum, and a glass theatre complex. It looks like Almeres growth is set to continue with the introduction of an International School, more office space and PRIMARK (UK's cheap n Cheerful high street chain).
So here it is in all its glory, the Dutch substitute to Dubai's Palm Island Almere
Almere is the Garden City of Ebenezer Howard. The English journalist Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928) wrote a book in 1898: "To-Morrow: Peaceful Path to Real Reform". He presented the idea of the garden city.
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