The thrill of exploring a new city is something that is hard to beat, especially if it’s an iconic destination that’s been on your bucket list as long as you can remember. Whilst many of the world’s major cities are now modern metropolises brimming with amazing technology and impressive architectural feats, that wasn’t always the case so I thought it would be interesting to travel through time and take a look at the world’s major cities then vs now…
Dubai, UAE
A comparison between the same road in Dubai in 1990 and 2007.
The above image is a shot of Dubai in 1990; a desolate dessert landscape, typical of the Middle East, with just a few buildings lining the road. Fast forward 23 years and the story is very, very different.Dubai is now one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world and it continues to grow in size every day with more than 15% of the world’s cranes currently in use to aid further construction! The beautiful waterfront area, when it is completed, will be the biggest development of its kind anywhere in the world and it doesn’t stop there; it’s spilling in to the sea in the form of the man-made Palm Islands resort! Quite a difference from that single dusty road back in the day…
Tokyo, Japan
A comparison of Tokyo Tower in 1960 and 2010.
A metropolis in the truest sense of the world, Tokyo is all about technology. Let’s take a step back to 1960’s however, when the famous Tokyo Tower is just a lone blip on the skyline surrounded by abundant trees and classic Japanese buildings. Fast forward to the present day however and whilst Tokyo Tower is still an iconic sight it is now swimming among a sea of high rises, it’s far less eye catching than it once was!
London, UK
A comparison of Canary Wharf between 1997 and 2013.
One of the most historically significant cities in the world, London is a city that has seen plenty of change over the years. It’s interesting to see the extent of change in images however, with the areas surrounding the Thames seeing the most dramatic additions including the Shard and the Gherkin! Just look at the difference between the 1970s image of Canary Wharf and the present day.
Shanghai, China
The staggering difference between Shanghai in 1990 and 2010.
Home to a staggering 24 million people, Shanghai is easily the largest city in the world in terms of population and is home to a vast array of fascinating sights including the likes of City God Temple, Yu Garden and the Bund waterfront area among plenty more. Following huge European investment in the 19th century, it grew from a modest city with just a handle of high rise buildings to a megalopolis. It’s pretty amazing to see such a transformation with the above image representing 1990.
Paris, France
A comparison of La Defense between 1974 and 2006.
Paris is one of the cities that is filled with historical treasures; gorgeous historic architecture like the Arc de Triomphe and symbolic buildings like the Notre Dame Cathedral so we’d forgive you for thinking that the skyline hasn’t changed that much. You’d be wrong to think that though, as some areas of the city, especially the business districts have seen massive growth in recent years as the images above of La Defense show. It’s nowhere near as obvious as the ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ growth seen in other continents but surprising none the less.
Shenzhen, China
These photos are a great example of the urban development of Shenzhen over the years.
Shenzhen perhaps isn’t visited by as many foreign tourists as Shanghai, but it takes the title as the fastest growing city in the world, ever. This image was snapped in 1979 when it was just a tiny fishing village, but fast forward to the present and it is home to more than 12 million residents, scurrying around this skyscraper laden city like ants! A huge burst of foreign investment fed Shenzhen’s growth and it never looked back. Unsurprisingly, it is now one of China’s richest cities and also features on the UNESCO list of Creative Cities!
As this post shows, many cities we take for granted have been on quite the journey and it’s fascinating to the see the contrast of the world’s major cities then vs now. Have you witnessed changes where you live or perhaps you travelled somewhere when you were younger and having returned, it looks completely different? Share your stories below!
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