The Middle East Peninsula – Every Architects Dream Come True But Inhabitants Nightmare Come Home

Khaleej Times Online recently reported 97 new hotels are likely to be added by 2010 in UAE with a combined capacity of more than 30,600 rooms. In the same period, Qatar is expected to add 39 new hotels (9,835 rooms), Kuwait 19 hotels (4,115 rooms), Bahrain 15 hotels (3,615 rooms) and Oman 4 hotels (766 rooms). The report was based on an interview with Frederic Theux, President of Reed Exhibitions, who will be organizing the prestigious Equip Hotel Middle East in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from December 14-16, 2008.

According to Theux, "Currently the total hotel room capacity in the above countries stands at 33,925. Abu Dhabi is planning to increase hotel room capacity to 25,000 by 2015 and develop over 100 hotels in the next ten years. The Emirates is investing over Dh367 billion in the next 5 years in a combination of projects that include upgrading the UAE capital's airport, building a new port, establishing new townships and tourism development. The ADTA is implementing an aggressive tourism development strategy including the establishment of world class tourist attractions such as the Louvre and Guggenheim museums on Saadiyat Island and the hosting of a Formula 1 Grand Prix on Yas Island in 2009”.

The Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) stipulated that the number of hotels and hotel apartments in Dubai is set to rise to 554 by 2016 from 439 currently, with the existing room capacity of hotels and apartments expected to nearly triple. Every other day we hear of major ego massage projects being announced in Dubai. The 50000 m 2 ski dome, the world islands and the 360 degrees rotating tallest building only the latest to add to the list . All these in a long list of never ending wants and desires. To the extend that Dubai is no longer constructed on land but has conquered the oceans with a world map that can be seen from space. A virtual Disneyland for grownups which has helped Dubai brand itself astonishingly fast and well. Is this going to be the end of achievements. Is everyone satisfied and ready to call it a day. Somehow I don’t think so. 2006 saw 6 million tourist visiting Dubai and 2010 is slated to have over 15 million visit. The worst dilemma today seems to be finding the newest and best WOW factor to construct.

And what does this mean for the people residing there, for the environment and for the future generations to come. Spending power is fast becoming a sickness, here where everything available must be bested, no matter the cost to man and nature. The oil money, ensures that Dubai is a safe haven for the rich and spoilt, a paradise on the Persian Gulf. How does this affect the common man except for further bridging the gap between the haves and the have nots. And what happens when the oil money runs out. Are they suitable ‘other’ trades available to satisfy the masses flocking to these cities. Perhaps not.

There are artificial islands, artificial trees and artificial air – enough to make one wonder if anything is real anymore. There are buildings and more buildings and then some buildings which perhaps got left out previously by some stroke of luck. It’s a virtual concrete jungle with the people stressed, stretched and uneducated with what is real. The roads of Dubai are fast running out of moving space, water is scarce and housing is a very real nightmare for the common folks living there. And from the looks of it most of the children are not going to get educated since the waiting lines for admission seems endless, one that the best of references nor money can fix. Eking out a living, a laughable term there since Dubai is the fast bucks Mecca, can ensure that where money is plentiful, sharks tend to prey. Everyone is interested in this business called money. Buying and selling are religions in themselves, and serious ones at that. You are only as good as your previous sale or purchase. The unshakeable belief in the Gold Souks of Dubai ensure that all citizens, rich and poor, are prone to hoarding this invaluable currency. Anyone ever wonder why prices are escalating?

Governance, minimum wage bills, elections, parliament, employment protection laws, tenant protection statements all seem to have taken a back seat in this city of mega enterprises. It is norm to deposit your passport at the work place for the duration of the contract, bans from Dubai for life are commonplace. Should someone be trying to terminate these archaic, barbaric and totally unacceptable rules in today’s world of freedom – I would say definitely yes.

According to Theux, the exhibition is slated to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and will support the rapidly expanding hospitality sector in the GCC region. Equip Hotel Paris is well-established and considered the leading international hospitality show primarily targeting the European market. Taking a page out of the artistic world, I guess the show must go. But it would have been nice if the sheikhs of the big dollar spends could spend a moment of thought for the common Middle East Resident. If they could carry the masses along with them on this journey of prosperity and development rather than leaving them to cope with issues which though perhaps not poverty linked can be as devastating as a plague. If they could spare a thought for the needy and perhaps apply even 5% of themselves to charitable causes.

There is light at the end of every tunnel and we can only hope that the Middle East construction mania does not decide to try and conquer the entire world’s natural wealth in its quests. We have created enough damage on the planet to last a few generations after us and it would have been nice to have at least left the seas and oceans untouched by the damaging hand of man. Does the corrupting influence of money, only paper after all, enable the rest of the world to forget principles as it stands by and watches Dubai and the Middle East encroach on what is after all Gods gift to entire mankind and not a chosen few.