‘Let’s build a palm island!’: playfulness in complex times

In line with a consistent strategy to develop Dubai’s tourism industry, and generally to enhance the city’s image and reputation, the government of Dubai has begun the construction of the world’s two largest man-made islands. They are both shaped like palm trees and are called the Palm Jumeirah and the Palm Jebel Ali respectively. Even though they are separate islands, the whole project is referred to as ‘the Palm’.