Dubai Dreams – Size Matters – Is Dubai the Perfect City
Dubai – A Perfect City?
From what I’ve read about Dubai – the Palm tree peninsulars, the world map islands, the artificially cooled beach – it all sounds like something Homer Simpson would come up with if left to design the ‘perfect’ city.
There’s something a bit nasty as well as snobbish in the way western writers show up in the UAE, take a contemptuous look around and then write about what a dump it is – see Germain Greer poor article in the Guardian – but then I suppose one can argue that by claiming to be the “world’s best/biggest/etc” in everything, Dubai sets itself up for a hammering.
Dubai – Size is Important
It was interesting to read these fun facts about Dubai and one thing came accross loud and clear – SIZE MATTERS in Dubai
Why is it that people always want to build the BIGGEST of everything, as if its BIGNESS confers some special quality? Go to Thailand and people will want to tell you they have the biggest temple, which makes them the most spiritual of course, go to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and people will tell you they have the world’s biggest Buddha statue, which makes them the most pious of course, go to Brazil for the biggest Jesus statue which makes them the most sincere Christians etc.
While Dubai is certainly not a classy place it most certainly has character. It’s true that a small number of Sheiks dominate the wealth of the country, but at least they are trying to build Dubai into a business centre and hub of the middle east. Flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now amongst the most popular destinations for international travellers who either vist the UAE or simply use the fabulous airport hub facilities that have been develeoped.
The ludicrous hotels and sand castles may get all the publicity but that masks the enormous investment in proper infrastructure – roads, schools, airports, low-carbon technology – which will keep Dubai ahead long after the other oil-rich kingdoms have descended into chaos.
I’m really confused by this post… are you saying Dubai is a great city to go to or a horrible one? Maybe there is some sarcasm there I didn’t read into.
The rapid development of Dubai is probably more of a curse then gift to the people of UAE. Beneath of the ‘wow’ factor of its development is the exploitation of the foreign workers (usually Indian and Pakistani).
I also heard they have huge problems with waste management and other infrustructure outside Dubai. But I guess they do a good job hiding that from the tourist and visitors.
If you see old photos of Dubai (1950s-1960s), it was a very small town.
The oil and gas wealth ofcourse helped them improve rapidly.also Their duty free shopping attracts tourists from all over Middle East and South Asia.They import labour, raw materials and also customers to do duty free shopping and have becoming a thriving Emirate for the whole world to copy. No democracy, no labour unions, no strikes. Like it – work, otherwise fly out.
http://www.moroccan-palace.com
Thanks for the post. I used to live in Dubai for two years. It’s an amazing and unique city, with lots to do and see. Crazy architecture, lots of different food, wicked malls, and it’s right on the Gulf (meaning sandy beaches and palm trees). I would not live there again, as I prefer the unique culture of the Middle East (found in Saudi, Oman, Yemen, etc.), but I would ABSOLUTELY visit there again.