Dubai is Growing at an Incredible Rate
Take a look at their amazing construction projects, including a shape-shifting building, and an indoor skiing resort.
What do you think of this? Get in the discussion
Table of Contents
- About Dubai, UAE
- The Pace of Growth
- Video About Dubai Growth
- Dubai Announces First Dynamic Skyskraper
- Shapeshifting Skyscraper Video
- Skiing in Dubai?
- The Latest News of Dubai
- Not All is Rosie in Dubaiville
- 60 Minutes Episode on Dubai
- What are your thoughts about the Dubai growth?
- More About Dubai, UAE
- Traveling to Dubai?
- Any general comments?
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.
Dubai 1990
Dubai 2003
Dubai 2005
The Pace of Growth
A crazy 17 percent!
The economy of Dubai Emirate, which is considered the trade and tourism center for the Gulf region, has achieved a standard growth estimated at a rate of 16.7% in the year 2004.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 is said to have between 15-25% of the world's cranes!"
Cranes in Dubai
Video About Dubai Growth
Burj Dubai - world's tallest building
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
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: $17.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
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
Saidy says:
amazing and beautiful!!!
Posted March 30, 2009
Photo Girl says:
Great photos -- may I ask where you got the shots of Dubai 1990, 2003 and 2005? Thank you.
Posted December 18, 2008
Shelly says:
This is a fascinating place of excess magnified. Live and let live--perhaps we'll learn something valuable.
Posted October 28, 2008
Tipi says:
I don't think Dubai is going to be a shooting-star. I think it'll remain in orbit!
Posted October 09, 2008
redpony30 says:
It's a man-made almost futuristic beautiful place. I'd like to go there one day. Beautiful places benefit everyone on Earth - just because these places exist. Sure, construction workers only get $200 a month, but how much do you think their wages would be if they weren't working in Dubai?
Posted October 09, 2008
No, it's bad
fcuk off says:
in dubai they are crazy and kill and lock up people for fuck all!
Posted February 19, 2009
Craig says:
Hi i was wondering if anybody could send me or tell me sites or links to recent pictures of dubai skylines or constrution. It seems like no one has posted non burj pictures recently
Posted December 31, 2008
nightbear says:
Anytime, someone starts showing progress or getting ahead, it seems like a red flag for the rich and affluent nations. They have this tremendous need to go in and interfere. I wish it was a little more low key so not so much attention was happening. Then maybe they could keep their country.
Posted October 09, 2008
CrypticFragments says:
Not a good thing. I saw programming on the building of The Palms and The World islands/resort/housing... this is disturbing the natural environment, and there is NO need for this kind of facility for people who already have way too much. Do something worthwhile with it for heavens sake! Help the poor, feed the hungry, whatever.
I have also heard that Dubai will run out of oil income within the next ten years, don't know what truth is in that but if so, how are they going to sustain all this?
Posted August 23, 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? :)
LindaJM wrote...
Fascinating... somehow that skyscraper reminds me of the Tower of Babel. The kinetic building is amazing.
Posted April 09, 2009
rainbowdr wrote...
What a great resource that you have here. I really want to get over to Dubai for a visit. I love your pictures. Great job, so much to learn from. Keep up the good work.
Fap Turbo
Posted April 03, 2009
dannystaple wrote...
It is amazing, I will give it that, although at what price? I would always favour slow but steady and safe growth over huge booms made on borrowing and that was before the crunch. It looks good, and the stark contrast between 1990 and 2005 make very clear what is happening.
Posted December 08, 2008
Framed Images of Dubai
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