A pioneering initiative of the Dubai government has seen the mushrooming of cities within a city on what was previously barren desert in the emirate.
Developed on a fast-track basis by Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone (Tecom), these cities - Dubai Internet City (DIC) and Dubai Media City (DMC) - now host a number of international firms, which are leaders in their field.
Tecom was launched by the Government of Dubai following the success it has enjoyed with free trade zones - the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone being a case in point.
Tecom's property covers an area of approximately 400 hectares and includes a series of 'cities' each targeting specific disciplines, yet allowing for future convergence within the fields.
Besides, DIC and DMC, Tecom is also developing Knowledge Village, a connected learning community which is designed to position the zone as a centre of excellence for learning and innovation, provide the infrastructure for developing, sharing and applying knowledge, promote the use of e-learning in education and training in the region, develop key initiatives to bridge the talent gap in the region, and work with DIC and DMC companies to develop the skills and know-how of the industry.
A dynamic international community of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies has established itself in DIC within a short span of time since the project was launched last year, including global giants Microsoft, Oracle, HP, IBM, Compaq, Dell, Siemens, Canon, Logica, Sony Ericsson and Cisco.
These companies represent a formidable community of over 5,500 knowledge workers.
Similarly, DMC is a hub for the media and now enfolds numerous advertising, public relations, publishing houses and news agencies.
To provide a convenient and comfortable living environment for the thousands of workers that will be employed by these cities, Tecom is developing housing facilities - the first of which is the 160-villa complex, which is now receiving final touches in the form of landscaping works.
