Introduction
Most people are aware of how quickly Dubai has transformed from a desert into a metropolis. Pictures of the city do not justify the significant scale of the region’s ambition. Not far from the aquariums encased in large malls sits the ski slopes adjacent to artificial islands. The city also boasts numerous high-rise condos with many awaiting residents.
Part I
Dubai is regarded as the biggest and most populated city in the United Arab Emirates. It is situated on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and serves as the capital of the Dubai Emirate, one among the seven emirates making up the nation. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the only emirates that have veto power on critical issues of national significance in the state’s Federal Supreme Council. Dubai City is situated on the northern coastline of the Emirates and is the head of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. The main districts in Dubai are The Creek, Oud Metha, Bur Dubai, Deira, Umm Sequim and Al Sofouh, Sheikh Zayed Road and New Dubai.
The city of Dubai is close to sea level, with only a margin of 52 feet or 16 m above the sea. The state shares its emirates borders with Sharjah to the northeast, Abu Dhabi to the south, and the Sultanate of Oman to the southeast. A minor exclave of the emirate known as Hatta is situated at the centre of the emirates of Ajman to the west and Oman and Ras Al Khaimah to the north. The western coast of the Emirates borders the Persian Gulf. Dubai is situated at 25.2697°N 55.3095°E, covering an area of 4,110 km2 or 1,588 square meters. This represents a significant expansion compared to its initial coverage of 3,900 km2 or 1,500 square meters as a result of land reclamation from the sea (Brook, 2014).
The region has undergone massive changes. In its early days, Dubai was dominated by countless wars. Later, the city, under representation by local rulers, negotiated many truces, which led to the creation of the Trucial Coast. The Maktoum Bin Butti’s dynasty of the Bani Yas settled at the Shindagha Peninsula and declared the region independent from its colonialists, Abu Dhabi. The family is still in power to date. Later, Dubai became the major port on the Gulf Coast, a privilege that became a significant aspect of the prosperity of the region. Other changes were that the city permitted the migration of Arab settlers and Iranian traders after heavy taxes were imposed on Iran’s Lingeh port, a factor that played a significant role in Dubai’s trade (Al Faris & Soto, 2016).
With both domestic and foreign trade blossoming, Dubai enjoyed the most extensive souks in Arabia. Later, oil was discovered, an exploration that further impacted the tremendous growth of the state. New breath came to the country as the Pakistani and Indian population grew in Dubai, enhancing the textile markets and improving trading activities from the Indian subcontinent (Dupré & Smith, 2013).
Part II
The region, by the year 2017, has a population of about 2.79 million people. Notably, males are the most dominant group in the region, with triple the number of females. The largest percentage of Dubai’s population is comprised of UAE nationals. The rest are expatriates who either were born in UAE or have been brought up in the territory for generations. Indians and Pakistanis make up the largest percentage of expatriates in Dubai. Other groups include Filipinos, Bangladeshis and Somalis (Nichols, 2008).
The populations include the lowly paid immigrants who facilitate its growth. It is said that the immigrants are free to wander the city, but they cannot find residence there. According to studies conducted in the area, 88.5% of the people residing in the United Arab Emirates are foreigners who are mostly migrant labourers. These individuals have very few protection privileges offered to them by the country’s labour laws and regulations. According to estimations made, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers are in Dubai and work under conditions resembling indentured servitude (Nichols, 2008).
Over the past few years, Dubai has been a favourite destination for temporary labourers in search of employment opportunities as well as higher living standards. Most of the immigrants originate from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan and make up 90 per cent of the nation’s private workforce. The economic attractiveness, modern infrastructure, and political stability of Dubai attract both high- and low-skilled migrants. However, the state has experienced financial setbacks, such as the global banking crisis in 2008 as well as the drop in oil prices (Brook, 2014).
In the aspect of culture, Dubai, just as is the case with the other United Arab Emirates, is predominantly a Sunni Muslim state with all of its political and social elements following the Islamic or Sharia laws. However, other religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity and Sikhism, are tolerated. Dubai also practices hospitality as part of its culture, which is applicable in both professional and social contexts. Immigrants, guests and tourists are welcomed with enormous generosity. In most homes, hospitality is displayed through feasting on traditional Emirati food, while professional instances involve frequent meetings followed by conventional pastries and Arab coffee. The emphasis placed on generosity and reception can be explained by the belief in its close connection with the significance of relationships. Foreigners are expected to exhibit gratitude and take time in the development and enhancement of relationships with their Emirati partners. The media also plays a very significant role in the promotion and upholding of liberal values. Their purpose is critical in fighting extremism (George, 2012).
Dubai is known for its economic vibrancy, which is coupled with steady economic growth and stability. This aspect is attributed to its possession of various industries and companies and its offering of a favourable business platform. Dubai is recognized as a harbour for vital industrial ventures, particularly in the energy production sector facilitated by DEWA. However, this sector is primarily concerned with and focused on power and water provision for the state of Dubai. Other companies established in the region include Emirates Global Aluminium, which produces approximately 2.4 million tonnes of aluminium annually. This adds up to an approximate revenue of $3.8B USD, Zarooq Motors industry which is an investment in the car manufacturing sector and key player in the establishment of the UAE car company whose operations and sales began in 2016 (Ehteshami & Wright, 2008).
Dubai also boasts multinational corporations such as Real Estate and Property companies, MasterCard International, Information and Communication Technology Hub, Bentley Motors, Qualcomm Technologies, Fortinet Middle East Company and Western Digital Corporation. Dubai International Financial Center Companies are also an example of multinational companies in the region (Schulte-Peevers & Walker, n.d.).
Tourism is also a significant economic aspect in Dubai. Most of the tourists are from America, India, and Pakistan, among other prominent nations. The sector is strategic in maintaining the foreign revenue flow in the state. The primary tourist lure is the prominence and fame of shopping. However, other prominent tourist attraction sites include Aquariums, archaeological sites, beaches, artificial islands, trade and exhibition shows, fountains, entertainment places, hotels and resorts, libraries, museums and recreational areas, among many more. Tourism into the region has been facilitated by the tourism cooperation agreement signed by the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon (The 2006 Economic and Product Market Databook for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2006).
Dubai and UAE at large take part in international politics. The whole nation has adopted and embraced an equilibrium foreign policy which is based on respect for international conventions, adoption of dialogue, settlement of conflicts through peaceful ways, as well as exhibiting commitment and dedication to the United Nations Charter and avoiding interference in the internal affairs of other nations. The nation has also worked towards implementing its foreign policy aimed at building and enhancing cooperation-based links with all global states (Guide on Measuring Migration Policy Impacts in ASEAN, 2016).
Part III
The city of Dubai has dramatically changed over the decades, blossoming into a significant business hub exhibiting a more diversified and dynamic economy. With its strategic location, it serves as the most considerable re-exportation centre in the Arab nations. Investors are venturing into the region at a high rate due to the low operational and logistical costs, the efficient infrastructure, liberal government regulations, and the international outlook. There has been steady growth in activities such as transport, trade, tourism, finance, and industry, thus helping the economy gain a high level of expansion and diversification. Another sign of growth is exhibited by the shift of the city to nuclear energy sources. With the enormous and intense growth of the town, people have forgotten about the environment, hence challenges arising in the water and energy sector. To avoid a situation where the city may be less appealing and alluring, there is the implementation of simple basics of water treatment methods to ensure the provision of fresh water for use. With the performance and operation of significant industrial projects, the city requires a lot of electricity, hence the move to implement nuclear energy. Such factors are associated with growth. The plans are, however, raising questions about the political and environmental risks that may arise as a result of dependence on a technology which is vulnerable to terror attacks and catastrophic accidents (Brixi., Brixi, Lust & Woolcock, n.d.).
The architects of Dubai designed the establishment of the city as the Middle-Eastern Shangri-La. The town was drawn to appear a glittering Arabic monument enterprise and western capitalism. However, the city has developed so rapidly that it has outgrown its fabric and impacted even the cultural aspects of the region. One of the notable changes in culture is in the religion. The Islamic faith is deeply linked to the fabric of UAE society. The Muslims perceive the Qur’an as the word of God and thus issue very particulate and straightforward moral regulations and guidelines that offer guidance in all aspects of daily life. The region also adheres to Sharia laws, which are known for their strictness and limitations. However, such cultures are slowly getting corroded. Dubai has become an international destination for tourists as well as investors from all over the world. Most of these individuals are from regions that do not follow or adhere to Muslim guidelines. This leads to the dominance of other cultures and religions, hence altering the initial traditions of the area (Mahdavi, 2011).
There is no doubt about the continuous growth of the city. However, it will come to a point where the city’s tremendous growth will gradually slow down and eventually stop. By this period, the city will have outgrown its resources and will be holding a large population. Consequently, being a city built on the desert and an industrialized region, the city will experience a wide range of climatic conditions. This will mostly happen with the temperature in the region, taking into account that it is in the desert, and the rate of industrialization has a direct impact on the climate. Additionally, the region might experience water problems in terms of shortages and pollution. This will lead to the establishment of other water generation and conservation methods. In the years to come, the secrets of Dubai will begin seeping out, and it will be perceived to be a town built on ecocide and credit and slavery and suppression. In reality, the region can be termed a mental metaphor for a world that is neo-liberal globalized, which has the potential of crashing into history at last.
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