Sordid reality behind Dubai's gilded facade

andygb

wigglebeena wrote: »

Is it true that half of it is built with slave labour? I read an article quoting one architect laughing and joking about it and calling it 'inevitable' and 'necessary'.

I suppose you can afford to laugh, when you are earning millions, and your paymasters are the most corrupt people on this earth.

mbga9pgf

Having seen quite a lot of the middle east on my travels (not the nice bits either) I was rather shocked by what I saw in Dubai... Not a criticism, just an observation. The problem is, there are many skills shortages in the UAE, they simply dont have the population, background or education system to provide engineering specialists, architects, designers, bankers, pilots, blah blah...

So they get themselves into a situation where they rely on outside investment and experience, BAAD for community relations, obviously.

Was rather surprised to find numerous hotels with nightclubs, bars and, how can I put this, ladies of the night galore? Not what you expect in a fiercely Muslim country (other than the likes of Azerbaijan where oil has ruined their country) but each to their own. Definate melting pot of discontent though on the locals part though (nice people, but Icould see people simmering with some of the disgraceful loutish behaviour of westerners in their nice hotels). Felt quite sorry for them. Most would be quite happy with a tent and a few camels, someone had to come along and find a load of oil on their coast and ruin everything!

mewbie_2

From the article...
"house prices are down by as much as 50% and are predicted to fall by another 20%"

Hmm. Still laughing at the 70% club over here? Oh. But it couldn't happen here could it? After all - we're nothing like Dubai. Our house prices are built on more solid foundations - a thriving economy, sound government, solid industry, world beating financial services.

Before I get thanked by any bulls the bit in italics is meant to be sarcastic. They're a bit slow on the uptake sometimes.

Hair_Bear

I fear we in the UK won't be far behind Dubai in relation to economic collapse.

mbga9pgf

Sorry, 70% will never happen here. You have to see the scale of the exodus I saw there a month ago in dubai combined with the MASSIVE oversupply and ludicrous prices. Ponzi scheme deluxe.

Cant get a rental for much less than 20K per annum (up front!) too.

kennyboy66_2

mewbie wrote: »

From the article...

"house prices are down by as much as 50% and are predicted to fall by another 20%"

Hmm. Still laughing at the 70% club over here? .

Yep still laughing at the 70% club - they provide endless entertainment, although have gone a little quiet recently.



ps


50% fall plus 20% fall does not equal 70%.

prowla

That palm island thing is rather tacky, isn't it?

mbga9pgf

Yep, and stinks of human sh*t.

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/jan/310109-chemical-waste-Dubai-Jumeirah-Beach-millionaires-Keith-Mutch-factories-rapid-growth.htm

Wookster

What is it they call that thing in the desert again?

A mirage

Dubai is quite possibly the worst example of excess and really does deserve to disappear under quick sand.

andygb

What a disgusting place it is, full of contradictions, a place where people are treated like animals, and yet the rich display their obscene wealth like a Peacock displays its plumage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai