Al Rigga, under the shadow of the

“New Dubai”

Slideshow and captions by

Margot Rejasse

The intersection between Al Rigga Road and Al

Jazira Street

This street was the popular neighborhood to be in ten years ago. As malls are

known today as a greater source of entertainment, the shops and restaurants of

Al Rigga remain left behind. Photo by Margot Rejasse

Al Rigga

Trying to become more modern, the road has now opened American fast

foods at the bottom of some of the oldest buildings of downtown Dubai. Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga

To help keeping the neighborhood clean, the government installed painted

beans to encourage the population to keep the streets free from litter.

Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga The road is in cultural conflict between keeping its traditional nature or following the general modernization in order to attract costumers. Here is a sign celebrating the 39th anniversary of UAE, although the country is now in its 41st year of independence. Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga

The sellers try to attract customers with low prices, following the Dubai

Shopping Festival and its sales, also found everywhere else in the

Emirate. Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga Aziz, an Indian seller in Fashions 4 Ever, explained that his shop has been open for a year now. Although the sales were great in the first six months, the competition he has to face with other new shops on the road lowered the number of customers in his shop. Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga

A circus has opened its doors next to the road’s hotels, hoping to grab

families’ attention. Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga Small stalls like this one, selling tea with milk, coffee, popcorn, and other snacks, opened along with the circus. Mohammad Ismail, who works there, said that the monthly rent for his stall is 7000 Dirhams. His commerce is doing good, he explained, but the rent is still very high. Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga

Behind the circus, the old buildings still inhabit the same people for many

years. Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga

Trying to follow the “new-Dubai” trends, coffee shops on Al Rigga road

upgraded their services to respond to new demands.

Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga A mixture of old and new is again shown here, at the terrace of a Lebanese restaurant, where one can contemplate sample of old houses, and recently opened fast food restaurants. The metro station Al Rigga was one of the first to open in September 2009. Photo by Margot Rejasse.

Al Rigga

Al Rigga metro station, on the red line, gives an easy access to the road,

for nostalgic citizens or tourists. Photo by Margot Rejasse.