Foreign Policy has a gallery of photos of Dubai before its economic boom. Shown above:
Men gather in al-Naif souq, one of the oldest traditional markets in Dubai. It was partially damaged by a fire in 2008 — but the fabulously wealthy emirate decided that this was one of the cultural landmarks that it wanted to keep around. The souq was rebuilt in 2010.
Once Upon a Time in Dubai (Via The Agitator)