You might think you know Dubai, even if you haven’t been. But while some of the preconceptions hold true – skyscrapers and year-round sun abound – there is even more on offer in the city, across all sectors, as a new wave of locals and expats populate the emirate with cultural institutions, businesses, design icons and hospitality and retail concepts that boom.

For a city built almost entirely within the past 40 years, you’d expect tip-top infrastructure and Dubai has happily obliged with a swift network of roads, an efficient metro system and the world’s busiest international airport a handful of sand’s throw from the city centre. Dubai banked on connectivity and it has paid off in spades.

It’s no secret that Dubai is a great place to do business but what are the elements and initiatives that make it tick? We discover the emirate’s magnetic pull.

In the space of a decade, Dubai has transformed itself from a regional player to a global capital for the creative industries and the arts. We meet some of the inspiring souls who are driving the change and take a look into how the city intends to keep its residents inspired.

A shimmering high-rise in the sand, Dubai is developing design credentials that rival any international capital and investing in its people, neighbourhoods and a considered creative infrastructure.

The variety of great food in the city is simply staggering. Other cities stuck in a polarised rut of Michelin stars or cardboard boxes of generic fast food should take note. And Dubai’s retail scene is following a similarly interesting route.

We spent a considerable amount of time speaking to Dubai’s most influential thinkers about what makes the city tick, its big plans for the future and what it means to live and work here. There are still some essential attractions and customs that mustn’t be missed, which we share with you here for more memorable moments.