The Elusive Dubai Lessons in Planned Development for Fast Growing Cities

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Elusive Dubai Lessons in Planned Development for Fast Growing Cities The Elusive Dubai Lessons in planned development for fast growing cities A thesis submitted to the Graduate School of The University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning in the School of Planning of the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning by Venkata Krishna Kumar Matturi B.Arch. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur June 2012 Committee Chair: Mahyar Arefi, Ph.D Committee Member: Udo Greinacher, M.Arch Abstract Increase in urbanization through globalization and population explosion has resulted in rapidly growing cities in the past few decades. Driven by market forces and moneyed interests, cities are placing larger emphasis on economic development. This increasing trend had resulted in a dramatic change in urban morphology and vernacular urban fabric is being replaced by a ‘global urban form’ that has become a commonplace around the world. Dubai, a regional financial hub and a global city, rose to prominence in a matter of few decades. Started as a mere fishing village, it has managed to modernize and build itself to global prominence. Its meteoric rise has resulted in a dramatic transformation in its physical form through single minded determination and careful planning. This research explores the impact of rapid growth on Dubai's urban form and its implications on creating an ‘Elusive Dubai’. This research also investigates the phenomenon of elusiveness in major land uses of Dubai through the analysis of surveyed data collected prior to this research. Furthermore, it attempts to draw lessons for planned rapid urban growth in cities through Dubai’s model of urbanization. ii © Copyright by Venkata Krishna Kumar Matturi, 2012 All Rights Reserved iii Acknowledgements I am gratefully indebted to my committee chair, Dr. Mahyar Arefi for the excellent support he has extended throughout this research. I express my heartfelt gratitude to him for giving an opportunity to work on this challenging research and for standing by my side as a friend and a teammate in all my difficulties and molding this work into a brain stimulating experience. I am indeed privileged to work with him in bringing out this thesis work. I would like to thank my committee member, Prof. Udo Greinacher for taking time in evaluating this research and providing me with valuable suggestions. I am grateful to Jamie C Lemon for her help, support, and motivation throughout this process and being such an unselfish friend in making my stressful moments bearable. Additionally, the friendship extended by my classmates and DAAPmates, especially Grace Ford, Yoonsun Chang, and Mike Westrate, is affectionately acknowledged and thank all of them for their valuable insights. Finally, the love and support given by my parents and brother Kiran is invaluable, as they have always given me strength and support to follow my dreams and turned my doubts of failure into desires of success. iv Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................. iv Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................viii 1. Dynamics of Modern Cities ......................................................................................................................... 1 Globalization and Urban Change ................................................................................................................... 3 Rapid Growth in Cities ....................................................................................................................................... 6 The Singapore Experience ............................................................................................................................. 10 History .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Urban Renewal Program ...................................................................................................................... 13 Modernization, Rapid Urban Growth and Impacts ................................................................... 15 2. Emergence of Dubai .................................................................................................................................... 19 Sands of Time ....................................................................................................................................................... 19 Oil and Economy ................................................................................................................................................. 23 The City of Ambition ......................................................................................................................................... 26 3. The Elusive Dubai ......................................................................................................................................... 31 The Concept of Elusiveness ........................................................................................................................... 32 Research Methodology .................................................................................................................................... 34 Framework for Elusiveness ........................................................................................................................... 36 Malls vs. Souqs .......................................................................................................................................... 37 New Residential Neighborhoods vs. Old Residential Neighborhoods .............................. 38 New Public Spaces vs. Old Public Spaces ....................................................................................... 39 Types and Scales of Elusiveness ........................................................................................................ 40 4. Types of Elusiveness ................................................................................................................................... 41 Behavior ................................................................................................................................................................. 42 Conflict .......................................................................................................................................................... 42 Cooperation ................................................................................................................................................ 44 Competition ................................................................................................................................................ 46 Activities ................................................................................................................................................................ 48 Types of activities .................................................................................................................................... 49 Demographics ............................................................................................................................................ 50 Time of Day ................................................................................................................................................. 52 v Form ......................................................................................................................................................................... 54 Authentic ..................................................................................................................................................... 55 Fake ................................................................................................................................................................ 57 Global ............................................................................................................................................................ 58 5. Scales of Elusiveness .................................................................................................................................. 61 Built Environment ............................................................................................................................................. 61 Grain of the fabric .................................................................................................................................... 62 Density .......................................................................................................................................................... 64 Diversity ....................................................................................................................................................... 66 Relationships ....................................................................................................................................................... 68 Physical / Spatial ...................................................................................................................................... 68 Social / Individual .................................................................................................................................... 70
Recommended publications
  • Global Financial Crisis and Its Effects on the Crisis in Dubai
    British Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 71 February 2012, Vol. 4 (1) Global Financial Crisis and its Effects on the Crisis in Dubai *Dr. Fares Jamil Alsufy Department of Accountancy Al isra University, 22 Jordan – Amman 11622 **Dr. Mae'n A.R Juwaihan Law Department Al isra University, 22 Jordan - Amman 11622 *** Dr. Awad Ako irshedah Law Department Al isra University, 22 Jordan - Amman 11622 Introduction: - With the progress of science and technology development and information in the presence of the Web is the world together where he became an economic bloc interrelated and complex, affecting any economic event in a particular area on a number of regions and economic centers in the world the sense of the interdependence of interests of businessmen in Britain and the United States of America with a group the huge investments in the region such as Dubai may affect any economic event in one of the countries mentioned have a direct and tangible in the other country, whether the event recovery or recession, the birth of companies and major facilities or the collapse of another, so that the influence on the other directly, but no one guess the kind of impact a positive or negative. Problem of the study: - The problem of the study in the misuse and interpretation of financial statements and the lack of credibility of the information given by the departments of large companies and this in itself is a weakness in the global management system that puts the region in a serious financial situation. In addition, the weakening of the policy of lending and lack of caution by banks and private real estate which is enough and the absence of objectivity in the process of assessing the mortgaged properties, which have been inflating their values in an exaggerated manner, causing it to drain liquidity from the banks and the inability of borrowers to repay and which led turn to the collapse of the plight of banking sector_ economy column in any country_.
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Megaprojects-Based Approach in Urban Planning: from Isolated Objects to Shaping the City the Case of Dubai
    Université de Liège Faculty of Applied Sciences Urban Megaprojects-based Approach in Urban Planning: From Isolated Objects to Shaping the City The Case of Dubai PHD Thesis Dissertation Presented by Oula AOUN Submission Date: March 2016 Thesis Director: Jacques TELLER, Professor, Université de Liège Jury: Mario COOLS, Professor, Université de Liège Bernard DECLEVE, Professor, Université Catholique de Louvain Robert SALIBA, Professor, American University of Beirut Eric VERDEIL, Researcher, Université Paris-Est CNRS Kevin WARD, Professor, University of Manchester ii To Henry iii iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My acknowledgments go first to Professor Jacques Teller, for his support and guidance. I was very lucky during these years to have you as a thesis director. Your assistance was very enlightening and is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your daily comments and help, and most of all thank you for your friendship, and your support to my little family. I would like also to thank the members of my thesis committee, Dr Eric Verdeil and Professor Bernard Declève, for guiding me during these last four years. Thank you for taking so much interest in my research work, for your encouragement and valuable comments, and thank you as well for all the travel you undertook for those committee meetings. This research owes a lot to Université de Liège, and the Non-Fria grant that I was very lucky to have. Without this funding, this research work, and my trips to UAE, would not have been possible. My acknowledgments go also to Université de Liège for funding several travels giving me the chance to participate in many international seminars and conferences.
    [Show full text]
  • New Investment:Layout 1 30/7/09 08:56 Page 1
    new investment:Layout 1 30/7/09 08:56 Page 1 Altair Development in Lusail, Doha, Qatar. new investment:Layout 1 30/7/09 08:56 Page 3 Contacts Contents All communications and enquiries relating Executive Summary 01 to this offer should be directed to either: The Developers and Partners 02 Qatar Overview 03 Equity Investment Enquiries Investment & Infrastructure 07 Will Hean Property Market 09 Kenmore Property Group Lusail Overview 14 PO Box 282110 The Altair Development 17 Dubai UAE Tel: +971 (0) 42942032 Appendices [email protected] Key Executives 23 Developers and Sales Agents 27 Property Residential Enquiries Track Records 29 Andy McEwan Select Property Group Limited The Box Brooke Court Lower Meadow Road Wilmslow Cheshire United Kingdom SK9 3ND Tel: +44 (0) 7765237600 [email protected] Investment brochure for The Altair Development, Lusail, Doha. Investment brochure for The Altair Development, Lusail, Doha. new investment:Layout 1 30/7/09 08:56 Page 5 02 Executive summary The Developers and Partners Tameer Real Estate Company WLL has acquired a 72,000 square foot plot in the Tameer Real Estate Company WLL was established in Qatar in its current form waterfront residential area of the Lusail masterplan, an expansion area just to in 2006 with a paid up capital of 324 million Qatari Riyals and assets over 1Billion the north of the centre of Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar. The plot QAR. Tameer is a national and international real estate development, investment surrounds a private beach at the northern end of the waterfront district. Lusail and holding company.
    [Show full text]
  • Prospects for the Dubai Real Estate and Hospitality Sectors July 2020
    Post-pandemic plans for concrete recovery Prospects for the Dubai real estate and hospitality sectors July 2020 FOREWORD The Covid-19 pandemic is proving Based on KPMG’s experience in the real estate and hospitality sectors, and conversations with an enormous challenge for our stakeholders, we have analyzed the current societies and healthcare systems; the situation. As a product of our research, this consequences for the global document seeks to offer insight into the challenges faced within the residential, office and local economies are both and mall segments of the real estate market, unprecedented and unpredictable. as well as the hospitality industry. Many economists are convinced we are heading We would like to thank those who provided for a significant economic downturn and remain invaluable insight, while rising to the challenges unsure as to how long a recovery will take. we are all currently experiencing. However, responses from governments and regulatory bodies have been prompt. In the Please feel free to contact us with UAE, at the federal and emirate levels, a variety any comments or queries. of measures have been taken to support the economy and its citizens. Sidharth Mehta Partner Head of Building, Construction and Real Estate KPMG Lower Gulf Limited E [email protected] CONTENTS Residential Page 06 Office space Page 09 Hospitality sector Conclusions Executive summary Regional outlook Real estate sector Page 14 Page 01 Page 02 Page 05 Page 18 Shopping malls Page 11 About KPMG Page 20 Real estate and hospitality services Page 20 References Page 21 — A significant reduction in personal and — How deeply the sector is affected will largely business travel is impacting the sector with depend on travel restrictions and traveler HIGHER occupancy and revenue per available room sentiment.
    [Show full text]
  • BUILDING from SCRATCH: New Cities, Privatized Urbanism and the Spatial Restructuring of Johannesburg After Apartheid
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL RESEARCH 471 DOI:10.1111/1468-2427.12180 — BUILDING FROM SCRATCH: New Cities, Privatized Urbanism and the Spatial Restructuring of Johannesburg after Apartheid claire w. herbert and martin j. murray Abstract By the start of the twenty-first century, the once dominant historical downtown core of Johannesburg had lost its privileged status as the center of business and commercial activities, the metropolitan landscape having been restructured into an assemblage of sprawling, rival edge cities. Real estate developers have recently unveiled ambitious plans to build two completely new cities from scratch: Waterfall City and Lanseria Airport City ( formerly called Cradle City) are master-planned, holistically designed ‘satellite cities’ built on vacant land. While incorporating features found in earlier city-building efforts, these two new self-contained, privately-managed cities operate outside the administrative reach of public authority and thus exemplify the global trend toward privatized urbanism. Waterfall City, located on land that has been owned by the same extended family for nearly 100 years, is spearheaded by a single corporate entity. Lanseria Airport City/Cradle City is a planned ‘aerotropolis’ surrounding the existing Lanseria airport at the northwest corner of the Johannesburg metropole. These two new private cities differ from earlier large-scale urban projects because everything from basic infrastructure (including utilities, sewerage, and the installation and maintenance of roadways),
    [Show full text]
  • Implementing Sustainable Construction Practices in Dubai – a Policy Instrument Assessment
    Master Thesis in Built Environment (15 credits) Implementing Sustainable Construction Practices in Dubai – a policy instrument assessment Marco Maguina Academic Supervisor: Catarina Thormark Spring Semester 2011 Master Thesis in Built Environment Implementing Sustainable Construction Practices in Dubai – a policy instrument assessment Author: Marco Maguina Faculty: Culture and Society School: Malmö University Master Thesis: 15 credits Academic Supervisor: Catarina Thormark Examiner: Johnny Kronvall Maguina, Marco 2 Master Thesis in Built Environment SUMMARY Recognized as one of the main obstacles to sustainable development, climate change is caused and accelerated by the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from all energy end-user sectors. The building sector alone consumes around 40% of all produced energy worldwide. Reducing this sector’s energy consumption has therefore come into focus as one of the key issues to address in order to meet the climate change challenge. Implementing sustainable construction practices, such as LEED, can significantly reduce the building’s energy and water consumption. Prescribing these practices may however encounter several barriers that can produce other than intended results. Since the beginning of 2008 Dubai mandates a LEED certification for the better part of all new constructions developed within the emirate, nevertheless the success of this regulation is debatable. This thesis identifies the barriers the introduction of the sustainable construction practices in Dubai faced and analyses the reasons why the regulatory and voluntary policy instruments were not effective in dealing with these barriers. Understanding these barriers as well as the merits and weaknesses of the policy instruments will help future attempts to introduce sustainable construction practices. To put the research into context a literature review of relevant printed and internet sources has been performed.
    [Show full text]
  • Abu Dhabi & Dubai Explorer
    DUBAI – ABU DHABI EXPLORER 4 nights – 5 Days DAY 1 - ARRIVE DUBAI: Upon arrival in Dubai, you will be welcomed by your local representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you may choose to relax or spend the rest of your day the way you like. Do consider pursuing some independent activities should your flight get into Dubai early AM. DAY 2 – DUBAI CITY TOUR: On this day, you will have an opportunity to discover the traditional city of merchants, modern Dubai and sample historic sites on a half day tour. The tour typically starts with a photo-stop at the famous landmark of Dubai, Burj Al Arab. From here, based on the road conditions, we proceed to the magnificent Jumeirah Mosque; past modern palaces sprawled along the coast. The tour continues to Al Bastakiya, the old the old wind- tower houses built by wealthy merchants. Close to this, stands the 150-years old Al Fahidi Fort. It is here that you will find the Dubai Museum which has records of the city’s past as an important pearl diving and trading centre. Get on board the Abra (water taxi) to cross the Creek to then walk through the spice souk (market). Upon completion, based on time at hand, you will get time to shop in the most famous landmark of Dubai – the Gold Souk. Remainder of the day is at your leisure SUGGESTIONS: • You can choose to stay back at the souks and spend some more time shopping. • Alternately you can enjoy a scenic Dinner cruise, choose your view - rustic creek, romantic canal or the mesmerizing marina.
    [Show full text]
  • Gulf Affairs
    Autumn 2016 A Publication based at St Antony’s College Identity & Culture in the 21st Century Gulf Featuring H.E. Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali Minister of Culture and Sports State of Qatar H.E. Shaikha Mai Al-Khalifa President Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities Ali Al-Youha Secretary General Kuwait National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Nada Al Hassan Chief of Arab States Unit UNESCO Foreword by Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain OxGAPS | Oxford Gulf & Arabian Peninsula Studies Forum OxGAPS is a University of Oxford platform based at St Antony’s College promoting interdisciplinary research and dialogue on the pressing issues facing the region. Senior Member: Dr. Eugene Rogan Committee: Chairman & Managing Editor: Suliman Al-Atiqi Vice Chairman & Partnerships: Adel Hamaizia Editor: Jamie Etheridge Chief Copy Editor: Jack Hoover Arabic Content Lead: Lolwah Al-Khater Head of Outreach: Mohammed Al-Dubayan Communications Manager: Aisha Fakhroo Broadcasting & Archiving Officer: Oliver Ramsay Gray Research Assistant: Matthew Greene Copyright © 2016 OxGAPS Forum All rights reserved Autumn 2016 Gulf Affairs is an independent, non-partisan journal organized by OxGAPS, with the aim of bridging the voices of scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers to further knowledge and dialogue on pressing issues, challenges and opportunities facing the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessar- ily represent those of OxGAPS, St Antony’s College, or the University of Oxford. Contact Details: OxGAPS Forum 62 Woodstock Road Oxford, OX2 6JF, UK Fax: +44 (0)1865 595770 Email: [email protected] Web: www.oxgaps.org Design and Layout by B’s Graphic Communication.
    [Show full text]
  • Dashing Dubai
    Dashing Dubai DASHING DUBAI Phone: +1-800-315-0755 | E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cultureholidays.com CULTURE HOLIDAYS USA: 654 Shoppers Lane, Covina, CA 91723 www.cultureholidays.com | [email protected] Toll free USA: 800 315 0755 | UK: 800 051 5792 | INDIA: + 91 11 23 53 36 36 | Whatsapp / Call: +91 98735 40000 Dashing Dubai Tour Description The city Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is no doubt one of the hottest travel destinations at the moment; the city offers endless shopping, exotic cultural experiences and non-stop sunshine and golden beaches. Tour Highlights ✓ Soak up in beautiful city views on an ‘abra’ water taxi across Dubai Creek ✓ See the tallest building in the world `Burj Khalifa’ ✓ Experience the essence and soul of Dubai while enjoying dinner in an elegant vintage- style floating restaurant ✓ Relish unforgettable thrilling desert safari over the magnificent Sand Dunes ✓ Enjoy tasteful barbeque dinner in desert camp and watch electrifying exotic belly performance to rhythmic Arabic tunes CULTURE HOLIDAYS USA: 654 Shoppers Lane, Covina, CA 91723 www.cultureholidays.com | [email protected] Toll free USA: 800 315 0755 | UK: 800 051 5792 | INDIA: + 91 11 23 53 36 36 | Whatsapp / Call: +91 98735 40000 Dashing Dubai Tour Itinerary DAY 1 : Dubai Arrival Arrival at Dubai airport. Upon arrival transfer from airport to hotel in Dubai, a destination of the 21st century. This incredible city offers myriad things to do for all types of travelers. Check in to the hotel. Overnight: Dubai DAY 2 : Half day city tour of Dubai & Dhow Cruise with dinner Breakfast at the hotel, Get acquainted with Dubai on this 4-hour tour, led by a professional guide.
    [Show full text]
  • Participating Outlets
    MY JEWELLERY SEASON June 8th July 8th A month FULL OF GOLDEN SURPRISES! PARTICIPATING OUTLETS 30-70% discount on diamond jewellery STORE LOCATIONS Deira City Centre next to Damas Jewellers 80% off on Select Diamond Jewellery STORE LOCATIONS Located at the souk, Dubai Mall, PO BOX 117910 , Dubai, UAE 50% discount on selected diamond and pearl jewellery (excluding fixed price items, gold bars, gold coins loose and certified stones) STORE LOCATIONS Arabian Centre, Bin Sougat Centre, Festival City Mall, Meena Bazaar, Union Cooperative - Jumeirah MY JEWELLERY SEASON June 8th July 8th A month FULL OF GOLDEN SURPRISES! Scratch N' Win coupons to be given with Gold Jewellery Purchases AED 2500 worth of gold jewellery purchase will be entitled for 1 Scratch N' Win Coupon AED 5000 worth of gold Jewellery Purchase will be entitled for 3 scratch N' win coupons AED 5000 worth diamond Jewellery Purchase will be entitled for 4 scratch N' win coupons The scratch N' win enables consumers to win trolly bags, back packs, TV, Refrigerator, Bluetooth speaker, earphones, watches and home appliances STORE LOCATIONS Mohd Aqil, Abdul Razzak Zarooni & Brothers building , Al Suq Al Kabeer Area,Al Fahidi Street, Near Dubai Museum,Bur Dubai, Musthafawi Building, Al Suq Al Kabeer Road ,Opp Cosmos, Bur Dubai, Al Sherouq Building, Opp Karama Park, Al Karama, Lootah Building, Damascus Street, Opposite Grand Hotel, Al Qusais, Karama Centre, Karama, Main Entrance, Karama Centre, Karama, Ground Floor, Near Main Entrance, Gold Center, Al Suq Al Kabeer Road , Meena Bazaar 30 – 50% on selected jewellery items STORE LOCATIONS Mall of the Emirates – Level 1, Jewellery & Watches, City Centre Mirdif - Ground Level, Dubai Mall - Ground Level, The Souk MY JEWELLERY SEASON June 8th July 8th A month FULL OF GOLDEN SURPRISES! 25% to 70% discount on selected Jewellery.
    [Show full text]
  • Dubai Holiday Homes Market Review 2019
    RESEARCH DUBAI HOLIDAY HOMES MARKET REVIEW 2019 AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF HOLIDAY HOMES ON DUBAI’S HOSPITALITY MARKET RESEARCH DUBAI HOLIDAY HOMES MARKET REVIEW 2019 Almost five years have passed since the introduction of Decree Number Key findings 41 (2013) which regulated the leasing of vacation homes in the Emirate In Dubai’s holiday home market there of Dubai. The Decree aimed to provide a framework within which the are currently 10,766 active* listings out short-term rental sector could operate and was one that was beneficial of a total of 20,395 properties which to both operators and to end users. Easing of regulations in April 2016 have been registered on the Airbnb platform. opened the market further to individual operators, which allowed homeowners to rent residential homes on a short term, straightforward Dubai’s holiday home market accounts and low cost basis. for 2.0% of Dubai’s total households, the highest proportion of all other key Whilst there are many platforms for short Holiday home supply global hub cities. term rentals, Airbnb is viewed by many as an instrumental enabler of the peer-to- In Dubai’s holiday home market there are currently 10,766 active* listings out of Of the 10,766 active listings in 2018, peer short term letting boom particularly in a total of 20,395 properties which have 61% were entire homes or apartments, major tourism hubs such as Paris, London been registered on the Airbnb platform 31% were private rooms and the and New York, to name a few.
    [Show full text]
  • TRAVEL Dubai.Qxp
    Living travel Living travel leave them to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind Scott Armstrong dips a toeinto the ArabianGulf that someone is watching over them (giving yousome adult-only time). Older kids? Well if the tennis courts, the sports centre with climbing wall,thebeachaccess, the watersports or the teens’ club where they canchillout don’t do the job, the perhaps the direct (and complemen- tary)access in the the Wild Wadi waterpark next door (also run by Jumeirah) will suffice. Wild Wadi is a destination in itself forfamiliesand tourists alike with thrilling waterrides,slidesandfun. Wave pools, a lazy river which floats youaroundthepark to many of the faster flume rides, surfing simulators, it is OutandAbout tremendously good fun. Thestaffarefriendlyandhelp- Shopping ful, you canchargeyour entrance wristband up with Dubai is a shopperholics’ paradise. Close to the money so youdon’tneedcarry cash. Jumeirah BeachistheMall of the Emirates, with the One other great advantage of staying at the Jumeirah world’s largest indoor ski centre should youwishto Beach Hotel is that you cangetontotheparkanhour really cool down in the desert.Abouta10-minute before it opens to the public, not queuing forrides. drive away is Dubai Mall, the world’s largest, Aside from the family pool, there is another giant pool featuring a giant aquarium where youcango diving with sharks, a city just for children called dotted with swim-up bars and relaxed eateries, and if you Kidzania where youngsters ‘work’ at jobs like pilot or choose an executive room then you’ll also have the use of tv presenter to earn playmoneyto spend on the executive pool, with its own restaurant and pool bar – activities (another golden opportunity for adult-only essentially from plush to plusher, where staff frequently time), and thousands of shops aimed at every level hand out chilled towels or spray youwithcooling mist so of wallet.Ifyoulikehuntingabargain, the youdon’tgettoohotunderthecollar as you worship the adventurous can grab a taxi to the Karama district sun.
    [Show full text]