Deira: An area where Dubai's history runs deep

Deira, the oldest commercial district of Dubai, is home to the UAE's rich cultural attractions. Tourists are attracted by its unique fusion of heritage and modernity while residents regard it as one of the most popular places in the emirate to live and work in.
Scholars also say that Dubai's history is closely linked to Deira. It is off the Dubai Creek that divides the city into two main sections - Deira and Bur Dubai, and its surrounding areas where the story and history of Dubai started. In fact, because of its historic significance, Deira is one of the districts included in a file that pitches Dubai Creek's case for inclusion in the Unesco's World Heritage list.
There is also a theory that the word Dubai is a combination of the Farsi words for two and brothers, referring to Deira and Bur Dubai. While the name Deira is said to have come from the Arabic word 'deyar', meaning house, some others say it's the Arabic word 'estedara', which means round or circular, referring to the way the creek has shaped the land.
Deira, strategically located within a 10-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, is also home to the oldest mall in the city. Long before we had The Dubai Mall or the Mall of the Emirates, Al Ghurair Centre, the first sizeable shopping mall in Dubai, opened its doors in 1981. It has undergone several renovations and expansions through the years but the original building still remains.
"Back in those days, people would fly down from all the GCC countries only to visit Al Ghurair Centre, thus ensuring a new stream of revenue to boost Dubai's economy and bolster inbound tourism," recalled Sami Al Hakeem, vice-president, Al Ghurair Centre. "The mall has taken bold steps in providing a space that demands the best consumer retail experiences and is working towards creating local events to further engage tourists and residents. Al Ghurair Centre has always been a centerpiece tourist attraction famous for its shopping and gourmet offerings, and ongoing community driven activities," he added.
The area is also one of the most populous in the emirate, according to the Dubai Statistics Centre. Hor Al Anz in Deira is the fifth most populous neighbourhood in the city with 79,735 residents; while Muraqqabat comes in at seventh place with 68,058 inhabitants and Naif is number 15 with 47,497 residents.
Filipina expat Joanna Lim has been a resident of Deira ever since she set foot in Dubai in 2010.
"Deira is a thriving residential community, always alive - like it's open almost 24 hours. We have numerous restaurants, there are many convenience stores and groceries and public transport is very accessible," Lim, who lives in Al Rigga, told Khaleej Times.
"Although rent is relatively higher here compared to other new developments in Dubai, we have experienced a drop in rentals over the past two years. That's why my family has been staying here for almost a decade. Plus the Metro station is just a few metres away from our home, so commute is not a problem," she added.
According to a research conducted by bayut.com, rent for residential units in Deira has dropped significantly.
Based on 2017 figures, the average annual rent for a studio in Deira is Dh38,000, a five per cent drop as compared to in 2016. A one-bedroom is Dh65,000, 15.5 per cent lower than 2016 and a  two-bedroom is Dh91,999, down 16.3 per cent in 2016.
Public transport is also popular among Deira residents. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in the first half of this year alone, the Union Station in Deira has received 5.48 million riders while Al Rigga Station has registered 4.92 million riders.
Despite the reliable mass transit, two problems in Deira that remain are traffic and parking, according to Michael Lim, Joanna's husband. 
"The traffic can get quite intense during weekdays. Some buildings are also older and lack the amenities of newer areas in the city like viable parking, which is a big problem. Some of the older buildings do not have dedicated parking spots," he added. But in terms of commerce and business activities, traders in Deira, escpecially in the Naif area, will boast that "every kind of store you can think of is here".
"Deira has served as the country's historic trade route and main place for commerce," Indian trader Sunil Mathew said. "Our store has passed on from one generation to the next and it is thriving because people come here (Naif) looking for a bargain," he added.
angel@khaleejtimes.com