Urban Development in the Arabian Peninsula
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6 The Journal of the International Institute Fall 2008 United Kingdom, Belgium, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Aus- Urban Development tralia, France, and the Indian Subcontinent. One of these is Michigan State University, which recently established a branch campus in DIAC and enrolled its inaugural class in the Arabian Peninsula this fall. The UAE is not alone in its international education pursuits. Neighboring Qatar is also taking strides to improve the quality of life for its citizens, including the expansion of opportunities for women and a significant investment in education and research. In Doha, Qatar’s capital, a 2,500-acre campus houses the largest number of American university branch campuses in the Middle East, or perhaps anywhere outside the United States. Known as Education City, the campus was developed under the leadership of the Qatar Foundation, an orga- nization dedicated to working collaboratively with some of the world’s finest academic and research institutions in order to move the country toward a knowledge-based economy. At present, Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, Texas A&M Universi- ty, Northwestern University, and Virginia Commonwealth University all offer specialized degree-granting programs in Education City. Qatari and other international institu- tions dedicated to training and research are located in Education City as well. By Kirstin Olmstead and Mark Tessler These innovative and ambitious developments in ur- ban life and international education are transforming the French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres (L) and French architect Jean Nouvel (R) observe the model of the future Louvre Abu Dhabi museum character of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, as are compa- after a signing ceremony on March 6, 2007. THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images rable projects in several other cities in the Arabian Pen- insula. In the last year, the University of Michigan has n the 1950s, the northwestern coast of the Arabian education as well. Organizers have recently completed begun to explore the possibility of playing a role in this Peninsula was a barren wilderness. A mere collection arrangements to establish campuses of New York Univer- dynamic urban environment. Iof huts dotted the expansive desert sands. But in the sity and the Sorbonne. University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman past 60 years, and especially in the last quarter century, The UAE’s efforts to increase its prominence include visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai in March 2007, accompa- a very different landscape has emerged. The region now more than tourist and cultural attractions. Abu Dhabi nied by Mark Tessler in his capacity as Vice Provost for teems with burgeoning cities, some of which have be- seeks to be a pioneer in the field of renewable energy. International Affairs. Coleman was invited to deliver a come desirable destinations for wealthy tourists, Fortune In February 2008, ground was broken for a planned city keynote lecture at an international conference entitled, 500 companies, and leading academic institutions from near Abu Dhabi’s International Airport. The development “Women as Global Leaders,” organized by Zayed Univer- the United States and elsewhere. is part of the ambitious $15 billion Masdar Initiative, ad- sity in Dubai. Hosted by the crown prince and the min- The discovery of crude oil in the 1930s and 1940s ministered by the government-owned Abu Dhabi Future ister of higher education, she and Tessler also received spurred rapid growth and modernization, turning the Energy Company. The city will be the world’s first zero- private briefings on Masdar, Saadiyat Island, and other United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, waste, zero-carbon emission city. development projects. They also met with officials from Saudi Arabia, and Oman into some of the world’s most Designed to house a population of 50,000 when com- the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), with whom affluent countries in just a few decades. pleted, the walled city will cover 1,500 acres. No cars will U-M signed an agreement to explore possibilities for col- While oil provided the financial resources for these na- be permitted within the city walls. Instead, walking, bi- laboration in a wide range of areas. Discussions about tions to thrive, it is the innovative thinking of political cycling, and a rapid transport system will be the primary how to move this cooperation forward are being coordi- leaders and business elites that has shaped the region’s means of travel throughout the city. Each rapid transport nated by Professor John King, U-M’s Vice Provost for Aca- rapid and distinctive urbanization. Additionally, openness link will be located within walking distance, roughly 200 demic Information. King has been an advisor to UAEU to expatriate workers, both highly skilled and unskilled, yards, from any point in the city. Masdar will eventually and the country’s minister of higher education for several has been made necessary by the juxtaposition of rapidly be home to both Abu Dhabi-based and foreign industries, years. expanding economies and small indigenous populations. This has given many of the region’s most important cities an international character and a cosmopolitan flavor. In Qatar’s capital houses the largest number of American university branch cam- cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, for example, 85 percent of the residents, if not more, are foreigners. puses in the Middle East, or perhaps anywhere outside the United States. These three cities illustrate emerging trends very well. Although many other examples would be instruc- as well as research facilities and educational institutions. U-M is also engaged in Doha. The Institute for Social tive, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha are certainly among A select group of international companies will be invited Research (ISR) has signed a contract to assist Qatar Uni- the region’s most dynamic and innovative. to set up residence in a special free zone, offering tax-free versity (QU), the country’s flagship institution of higher In the UAE, originally a loose federation of seven emir- status and 100 percent foreign ownership. education, in building its own facility devoted to social ates known as the Trucial States, the country’s found- The remaining thousand acres outside the city wall science research—the Social and Economic Survey Re- ing president, Sheikh Zayed of Abu Dhabi, harnessed will be used for power-generating activities. Among the search Institute (SESRI). QU sought Michigan as a partner the emirate’s wealth for numerous construction proj- most important installments will be a photovoltaic factory because of ISR’s outstanding reputation, and it seeks, with ects. Among the new buildings were hospitals, schools, and field, wind farm, desalination plant, water treatment help from ISR, to develop SESRI over the next five years mosques, and homes. These early projects paved the way plant, and recycling center. The photovoltaic facilities will into a world-class social research institute that will be the for the development of industries that expanded Abu be completed first and will provide clean energy to power best in the region. Work on this project, including a visit Dhabi’s economic base, contributing to its emergence the construction project. to QU, began this fall. It is being led by a seven-member as a leader among the emirates. When the UAE was for- Even as Abu Dhabi champions sustainable energy alter- team at ISR that includes Mark Tessler, who is Principal mally established as a nation in December 1971, Abu natives, business is booming in the neighboring emirate Investigator, and James Jackson, ISR’s Director. Dhabi city, the emirate’s capital, became the country’s of Dubai, about an hour and a half drive to the northwest. In some ways, the jury is still out on these bold initia- capital as well. The city has taken aggressive steps to become a haven tives. Exciting as they are, there are challenges as well, Since that time, Abu Dhabi has become a sought-af- for international business. These measures have been de- and so the extent to which they fulfill their promise and ter destination for tourists, attracted by its white, sandy signed to move Dubai into a knowledge-based economy. potential remains to be seen. Moreover, the affluence and beaches, world-class hotels, elegant shops, and numer- Ironically, only 6 percent of Dubai’s GDP is based in the demographics of the UAE, Qatar, and other Gulf Arab ous fine restaurants. It is home to the luxurious Emirates oil sector. Ninety-four percent is based in manufacturing, countries set this region apart from the rest of the Middle Palace Hotel, built at a cost of $3 billion and situated on tourism, and services. East, limiting the extent to which their urban experiments more than 200 acres of lavish gardens and well-mani- Dubai’s Technology and Media Free Zone is home to can be replicated elsewhere. Yet, these initiatives are not cured grounds. an increasing number of multinational corporations. only giving cities in the Arabian Peninsula a dynamism The $3 billion hotel is only the beginning of Abu Dha- Many are attracted by the zone’s tax-free environment and an exciting new face; they are also developing, test- bi’s ambitious building plans, led by Crown Prince Mo- and the ability to operate as an entirely foreign-owned ing, and refining models that may inspire others. Lessons hammed bin Zayed al Nahyan. One of the most compre- entity. Home to Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and from the Knowledge Village and Education City models hensive of the new developments is Saadiyat Island, a Dubai Knowledge Village (KV), the free zone provides the will be important as universities around the world weigh massive complex being built on an island 550 yards off platform and infrastructure for organizations and educa- the benefits and opportunity costs of international part- the city’s coast.