Dubai

[FangKC]

It's probably sustainable in that many Western companies would rather place their regional headquarters in Dubai instead of other less stable nations and cities like Riyadh, Tehran, Baghdad, Cairo, Beirut, Damascus, and Karachi.

The government in Dubai is more pro-Western and stable than in most other Mid-East countries. However, because of the comglomeration of Western interests, it will probably become an attractive target for terrorism.

All those tall buildings are coming to represent the West. Dubai is quickly becoming the Manhattan of the Middle East. It would be much easier to hijack and fly a plane into one of those buildings than it would probably be now in the USA or Europe.  A lot of hostile entities live in the region, and could act before any of the surrounding nations could probably react and send in fighters to shoot them down.

I'm just saying that any terrorist is probably salivating over Dubai and the easy reach of it to many countries that don't have their security under tight control (Yemen, Oman, Eqypt, Somalia, Pakistan, Sudan), and the proximity of countries that engage in state-supported terrorism (Syria, Iran).

[Highlander]

That's going to be there problem.  There is no historical tie for the population.  Once the fad has worn out the westerners will move on to the next 'it' place.  Take yourself, for example.  If there was no construction based job there you would likely not be there, right?  Raise a family in UAE?  It's not sustainable.

They'll be fine.  They are one of the few Persian Gulf countries that have used their oil money wisely to set up an economy for when their oil runs out.  The place has set it up to be a trading center for the Arab world much like Hong Kong was for China before it was absorbed into China.  They are kind of like an arab Norway (another oil rich country that have used its oil money wisely) setting up a plethora of industries for the surrounding area including tourism. If an arab needs an operation, they often will go to Dubai's to take advantage of their excellent health care.  Tourism alone will be huge.   These places rely on westerners for their expertise much much less than they used to.    

[FangKC]

I think the Hong Kong comparison is appropriate.

[Chazarelli]

They'll be fine.  They are one of the few Persian Gulf countries that have used their oil money wisely to set up an economy for when their oil runs out.  The place has set it up to be a trading center for the Arab world much like Hong Kong was for China before it was absorbed into China.  They are kind of like an arab Norway (another oil rich country that have used its oil money wisely) setting up a plethora of industries for the surrounding area including tourism. If an arab needs an operation, they often will go to Dubai's to take advantage of their excellent health care.  Tourism alone will be huge.   These places rely on westerners for their expertise much much less than they used to.    

That is a pretty good way to describe the city.  Most people assume that oil directly pays for all that is happening here, which is not true.  Oil obviously plays a huge roll, but it is more of the enabler of the growth, no the sole means.  The ones who are building these amazing buildings, amusement parks, malls, etc are private businesses setting up regional HQ's here, or branching out to a new market.  The location geographically is an obvious advantage for doing business, but it is the ease, and money savings associated with donig business here that is very eye catching for businesses.  The government does everything in their power to promote buisness, economic stimulus, investing and development, and they do not want to see a company fail.  The only way they can do this is with money, which comes from the oil.  They build the biggest and best roads, transit systems (which is going to be amazing when finished), and everything else a city should provide, without collecting any money from the citizens, this with the other tax and buisness incentives is where the oil money goes.  I do not know the specifics of the business side, but it is a tax free country, which means no property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes,etc.  The cost of constructing a building is cheaper than that in the states, making it easier give more reason for developers and businesses to build.  A couple of weeks ago Dubai passed New York City on the list of costs for office space per square foot, and it is projected to increase another 10-15% this year, even with the new projects coming on line. 



"That's going to be there problem.  There is no historical tie for the population.  Once the fad has worn out the westerners will move on to the next 'it' place.  Take yourself, for example.  If there was no construction based job there you would likely not be there, right?  Raise a family in UAE?  It's not sustainable."

If I had not had the job opprotunity to come here, then right now I probably would not have wandered this far from the states, mostly because the US is very in the dark about what is going on here and the flights are expensive, and it's not convienent to come this far for vacation or otherwise when the Carribien and others are much closer, cheaper and more feasible.  That being said,  after being here, if something were to happen with my job situation, I would not think twice about staying here and continuning to work, and eventually, raise a family.  The cultural interaction that you gain on a day-to-day basis is unbelievable, people from all over the world, and I think it would be an amazing thing for a child to be brought up in, something you get absolutley none of in the midwest (aside maybe from Chicago).  The schools are world class, (out company does a lot of design work for Gems), and in most cases the company pays for your chidrens tuition.  I could see myself staying here permenantly.  That is where the city is now going, there are more and more people everyday who are moving here, not just visiting, and that is mostly in part becasue the city is coming together and this first wave of construction is starting to come to an end, which is making it a city, not a construction site.  Literally everyday the city gets better, more sustainable, livable, and convienient, it truly is an amazing place, I couldn't see myself anywhere else in the world right now.

[FangKC]

It's an amazing story of a city, and a place being carved out of the desert. You are in the middle of it and that's a great place to be at this time in history.

[ignatius]

Was watching a NatGeo show on the Dubai world islands and was wondering how many have sold.  Looks like all the US and North America islands are sold...

[geeman68]

I saw that program and the one before it about the building of the Al Burj Hotel.  That is amazing what they can do and the engineering feats that they are solving but how can all of that stuff going out there be sustained on just tourism for the wealthy only?  No one else can afford to go out there. 

[Cheffreygo]

I think that eventually they are planning to make Dubai a somewhat affordable vacation spot for the rest of the world.  They plan on having the largest airport hub in the world which would decrease travel expenses.  I guess it could be somewhat like how Las Vegas is now.  What I mean is that one can find flights, hotels, and attractions at a very inexpensive price because all of the casinos and developers just want to get you there.

[KCLover]

Updates. Jesus wow.

[KCLover]

Thats a tall SOB.

I find it odd how they build their buildings in line like that down the side of one road. Wierd.

[KansasCityCraka]

already updated in the Burj Dubai thread.

[Chazarelli]

I was just on my way home from work (in Dubai) and on the radio station the trivia question was "Name the famous rock and roll band from Kansas City, MO" 

At first I was just thinking "that's pretty cool to hear Kansas City..."  Then I realized that I need to call in and win the prize because nobody else will know!  I was too late and didn't get the number so I couldn't call.  There is a 2nd clue tomorrow, which I don't think will help anybody, so hopefully I get it tomorrow.

[zonk]

how tall is that thing now?  And how much further to go?  It doesn't seem like those uper floors provide much usable space...what's going up there?  Mechanicals?

[midtown]

i blame cordish

[Chazarelli]

how tall is that thing now?  And how much further to go?  It doesn't seem like those uper floors provide much usable space...what's going up there?  Mechanicals?

I am guessing you are referring to the Burj Dubai, it is currently on floor 180, with about 5 more to go for occupied space.  After the occupied space it is mostly crawl areas and the spire.  You can follow the link below to learn EVERYTHING about the tower.  There are some very technical engineering and arch. posts on there.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthrea ... 3&page=443

[zonk]

excellent...thx.

[voltopt]

The beginnings of Coruscant!

[GRID]

http://www.masstransitmag.com/publicati ... =3&id=7508

DUBAI - Emirates transport officials have climbed aboard what may be the world's biggest bus purchase deal with 1,616 buses worth 8.6 billion dirham ($18HK billion) being ordered from five suppliers.

The huge fleet of double-deckers, standard and articulated buses of various sizes will bring the number of buses operating in Dubai to 2,500 and play a key role in efforts to reduce traffic congestion and road accidents.

Must be nice...

[bbqboy]

I was just on my way home from work (in Dubai) and on the radio station the trivia question was "Name the famous rock and roll band from Kansas City, MO" 

At first I was just thinking "that's pretty cool to hear Kansas City..."  Then I realized that I need to call in and win the prize because nobody else will know!  I was too late and didn't get the number so I couldn't call.  There is a 2nd clue tomorrow, which I don't think will help anybody, so hopefully I get it tomorrow.

? What was the answer? Rainmakers or puddle of mudd?  or....?

[FangKC]

Dubai may default on debt.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/26/ ... -stocks-a/

http://www.kansascity.com/382/story/1595078.html

Stocks tumble on Dubai news.

http://www.kansascity.com/382/story/1594864.html