Stop the Construction

M&J Adventures’ Halt the Hype (May 11th) and Desert Idleness’ Time to Go (April 15th)entries make interesting reading back-to-back.

Desert Idleness' thoughts on the quality of life and economic viability of Dubai/UAE have attracted considerable comment from expats here, which some will no doubt dismiss as the whingeing of the pampered chattering classes at having their toys taken away. Not so: sample the 7 DAYS Letters page, and see the difference.

Remarks regarding the need for industry in GCC countries made by Hossein Razavi, director of the World Bank's private sector finance and infrastructure department (MENA), appear to substantiate the individual impressions and genuine concern for Dubai's viability which underlie the comments expressed by and to Desert Idleness. Is the current type, and rate, of development wise? Will the end result be sustainable?

M&J Adventures notes India’s short- and medium- range plans, and the position of tourism as 34th (i.e. last) on the priorities list. OK, India and Dubai – not exactly identical twins. But then again, what if the physical, economic and social outcome of Dubai’s ambitious development so degrades the quality of life that both blue and white collar expat workers decide to pass; and Dubai-born Emiratis decide they’d be better off in one of the other emirates? Ah! There’s nothing like a bit of hysterical speculation at the weekend. Except that Dubai has risen extraordinarily fast on vision, talent and hard work It’s a prodigy; and prodigies are notoriously hard to nurture and guide. Mozart. Britney Spears. Know what I mean?

Sheikh Rashid and his sons have achieved great things in this sandy outpost in a physically hostile environment, with nothing much going for it apart from a commercial location and a little bit of the desirable black stuff. How can residents, visitors and the world at large not admire the vision and commitment involved in developing a diverse economic base when many of our neighbours’ petrodollars were being invested overseas or partied away? Dredging the Creek; building Jebel Ali's Port & Free Zone; the establishment of diverse and high profile tourist attractions such as the Shopping Festival and international sporting events; concrete efforts to develop this place as the region's IT and commercial hub by providing infrastructure and relatively liberal conditions. Anyone for Yemen? Tremendous.

But I am one of those who, from the evidence around me, worry that the powers that be are losing the plot, or that private enterprise has become a runaway horse. If the UAE’s 194,000 Indian construction workers (Emirates Today, Wednesday May 10th), most of whom work in Dubai, weigh relative income, cost of living and quality of life, and conclude that they'd be better off at home than here; and the rent-paying, school-fee paying expat breadwinners decide that there's not enough bread to meet spiralling costs, and that community ventures such as a sailing club, a rugby club, a social club, a diving club, will always be sacrificed to commercial interests, and conclude that they too would be better off at home, then this could be come the smartest ghost town there ever was.

It’s not all about the money, not for the people who live, work, raise families and support the economy here. Well, not for most of us; but the handful like DI's landlord, whose idea of good business practice is a 40,000 Dh. rent increase could well screw it for all of us, Emiratis and expats alike.

There have to be some controls, but within the framework of a long-term strategy for viable, sustainable development. I have great faith in the leadership in Dubai. What a team. But it seems to me that this is a pivotal phase in Dubai’s development, and given that it is still, beneath all the banners and concrete, a sandy outpost with not very much of the desirable black stuff, perhaps it is time to step back and consider the long view.

One wonders what Hossein Razavi would suggest in private consultation.