Dubai is Growing at an Incredible Rate
I was there a couple times around 1990. This is about the rapid growth of Dubai between 1990 and today.
Take a look at their latest construction projects, including a shape-shifting building, and an indoor skiing resort.
This is about their huge growth since that time.
What do you think of this?
Table of Contents
- The Pace of Growth
- More About Dubai, UAE
- Video About Dubai Growth
- Dubai Announces First Dynamic Skyskraper
- Shapeshifting Skyscraper Video
- Skiing in Dubai?
- Dubai's Debt
- Dubai Outpacing India on Tech Growth
- Dubai's Workers
- 60 Minutes Episode on Dubai
- What are your thoughts about the Dubai growth?
- More About Dubai, UAE
- Traveling to Dubai?
- Any general comments?
The Pace of Growth
A crazy 17 percent!
Dubai's population in 2005, recorded at 1.1 million, could reach 4 million by 2017. The population of the emirate has grown at an average annual rate of 6.4 per cent while the number of cars on the road by 10 per cent each year, as opposed to an international average of 2 to 3 percent.
Dubai 1990
Dubai 2003
Dubai 2005
"Dubai is said to have between 15-25% of the world's cranes!"
Cranes in Dubai
More About Dubai, UAE
Dubai can either refer to one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or that emirate's main city, sometimes called "Dubai city" to distinguish it from the emirate.
The modern emirate of Dubai was created consequent with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. However, written accounts documenting the existence of the city have existed at least 150 years prior to the formation of the UAE. Dubai shares legal, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates within a federal framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civic law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Dubai has the largest population and is the second largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the only two emirates to possess veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country's legislature. Dubai has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833. The emirates' current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE.
A majority of the emirate's revenues are from trade, manufacturing and financial services. Revenues from petroleum and natural gas contribute less than 6% (2006) of Dubai's US$ 37 billion economy (2005). Dubai has attracted world-wide attention through innovative real estate projects and sports events. This increased attention, coinciding with its emergence as a world business hub, has also highlighted human rights issues concerning its largely foreign workforce.
Video About Dubai Growth
Another View of Dubai
Dubai's Shapeshifting Building
Dubai Announces First Dynamic Skyskraper
Each Floor can move!
If Dubai hasn't already topped everyone with their amazing projects, they just upped the ante. They have recently announced plans for a 'shapeshifting' skyscraper!The 80-story Dynamic Tower, described as the "world's first building in motion," will also be the first skyscraper constructed from prefabricated units, according to David Fisher's Dynamic Group, which is a New York-based architect.
Each floor would be capable of rotating independently, powered by wind turbines fitted between each floor.
It's also not cheap to rent space there. Apartments will sell for around $3,000 per square foot, making each unit range in price from about $4 million to $40 million.
Work on the tower is due to be completed by 2010, according to Dynamic's Web site.
Shapeshifting Skyscraper Video
Skiing in Dubai?
In the Snow? Where it's 110 degrees?
Ski Dubai has 5 runs that vary in difficulty, height and gradient, the longest run being 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters. It boasts 3000 square meters of snow!
A video of Skiing in the Dome
Sharapova & Davenport at the Ski Dubai indoor skiing center
Sharapova & Davenport at the Ski Dubai indoor skiing center
Runtime: 4:51
53478 views
10 Comments:
For more information about skiing in Dubai
- Ski Dubai
- Skiing in Dubai.
- Ski dubai II
- ski dubai provides online booking for skiing in dubai and discover the Dubai Snow dome slope ski resort.
- Ski Dubai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Ski Dubai From Wikipedia
Not All is Rosie in Dubaiville
Dubai's Debt
The Wall Street Journal reports that international "financial analysts are starting to wonder about the amount of debt the city-state is racking up." The article paints a picture of a city with dwindling oil revenues but a limitless appetite for growth. It places Dubai's debt, relative to gross domestic product, at about 42%. That's pretty high compared to Abu Dhabi's debt of 2.9% of GDP.Duabi's debt load is four times the average among other Persian Gulf states. Credit-rating companies are asking for more information to determine how sound the government really is.
In the end, if Dubai gets into financial trouble it would take its neighbours with it. Or perhaps they're counting on a regional bailout.
Some are concerned that Dubai is doing what many in the U.S. did - overleveraging and spending too much with borrowed money, writes Chip Cummins in today's Wall Street Journal. "Its oil production is dwindling, and its debt load is four times the average among other Persian Gulf states," he writes. "Credit-rating companies are asking for more information to determine how sound the government really is."
Although the government of the UAE is taking a lot of risks, they may have a lot of foresight, being that the main revenue in the region is oil. They are hoping to be grow with other industries, such as banking and tourism. They may be at the forefront of this type of growth in the region.
Dubai Outpacing India on Tech Growth
Dubai's ICT sector is now growing faster than that of India and is gearing up to welcome a third telecoms operator
Dubai's Workers
As appealing as the job opportunities sound to many prospective workers, there are many challenges that are leaving many current and former workers feeling cheated and wronged. Far from the glitzy skyscrapers, high-priced tourist attractions, and modern streets, the workers live in a sprawling world of cramped labor camps. In fact, there is a dark side to the economic boom, including millions of poorly paid construction workers, and illegal yet widespread prostitution.According to a Seattle Times article, "surviving in squalid conditions and barely making ends meet on less than $200 a month" is proving to not be worth it. Many families and loved ones back in their native countries are begging the worker to return home.
Often, much of the price of rapid growth falls on poorly paid workers.
Dubai in the Future
More Images of Dubai
Twilight scene of Dubai's main artery of Sheikh Zayed Road as seen from my room ...
This is the Palm Jumeirah Project (Dubai - United Arab Emirates) :
Waterfront as seen from a cruising abra ship on Dubai creek. An interesting cont...
HDR from one single (JPEG) and not RAW. Adjustement in PS.
skyline of city centre along Sheikh Zayed Road, the highest one is burj dubai in...
Took this while on a photography-spree around town.
Made it on Explore Jul 13, 2007 #98
Aerail of Dubai City downtown. You can see the axis of the Sheikh Zayed Road, th...
The Building single handedly made Dubai famous in the world
Helicopter Flight in Dubai. Terrific Experience.
60 Minutes Episode on Dubai
60 Minutes - Dubai Inc. (October 14, 2007)
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $17.95
Avg. Customer Rating: 
What are your thoughts about the Dubai growth?
Are they growing too fast? Is this a smart thing to do?
HTML is stripped from comments. Sorry.
Is this a good thing?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, it's fine
Rocksteady says:
I lived in Dubai between 1979 and 1983. It was a huge building site then, granted an awe inspiring building site and a great place to live. 30 years later it is unrecognisable and stll they are building. Are they building too fast? Yes and they will just carry on building forever.
Back in the early 1980's they were dredging the sea and creating land, not that they had a shortage of land. They had the largest dry dock in the world then and today they are creating the world and the Palm tree in the sea. WoW! They won't stop untill the money runs out or the oil and then they will have created a beautiful place to live. Sun, sand & sea. Keep going Dubai, I love Dubai
Posted July 12, 2008
Wordilydoc says:
This is art at a unique level. If they can be envisioned let it be created. A trip there would surely make anyones day. We need more happy spots in the world.
Posted June 29, 2008
Portmillestates says:
Nice site there is massive growth in this area and the sorrounding Emirates. I have created a lens about Ajman aswell one of the close Emirates feel free to pop over.
Regards
Paul
Posted June 13, 2008
poddys says:
It seems like they want Dubai to become New York, Chicago and Disneyworld all rolled into one, but maybe too quick. Hopefully the architectural plans for the city are sound, so that traffic and polution will not be a problem, and hopefully the tourist trade from around the world will keep everything profitable and as Utopian as they desire. And hopefully the elements in the Middle East that seek to destroy all things modern and free will leave it alone.
Posted May 19, 2008
No, it's bad
The_Homeopath says:
Very few people, other than natives of Dubai (who are solely relying on foreign labor) and the ultra-rich citizens of the rest of the world will ever benefit from any of it.
Posted July 11, 2008
giltotherescue says:
Dubai is fascinating on so many levels, but the cost paid by the construction workers doesn't seem worth it.
Posted July 01, 2008
Evelyn_Saenz says:
I think it is sad. I would hate not to have children, or tell others not to but look what is happening with over population.
Posted May 26, 2008
Amanda_Blue says:
It seems too bizarre to be good. It also seems to be all about greed. Is it?
Posted April 22, 2008
More About Dubai, UAE
Traveling to Dubai?
Here's some great books to guide your way!
Any general comments?
Do you like the lens? :)
|
hemant_p_gokhale
Hi Posted July 24, 2008 |
|
|
Rocksteady
You beat me to my next lens, I wanted a Dubai lens. Now I will have to think of another angle for Dubai. How about life in the Emirates or Dubai between 1979 and 1983? I think you have an outstanding lens, 5*****. Please Drop by mine - they are of products that I bought when I earned big bucks/Dirhams in Dubai. Posted July 12, 2008 |
.JPG)
|
debnet
Great idea for a lens. I've always fancied a long week-end there & many people from the UK do just that...shopping is supposed to be fantastic. 5* :) Posted July 12, 2008 |
|
|
The_Homeopath
From a "wow" standpoint, it amazes me what humanity can do. Looking at the labor camps, the exploited workers actually doing the building, and the 99.99999 percent of humanity who will never in their wildest dreams be wealthy enough to see it in person, it sickens me. I think that ultimately, Dubai may take the place of the U.S. as the earth's living testament to greed. Posted July 11, 2008 |
|
PainLizard
Hi, Posted July 10, 2008 |
