Magazine

Natural Dubai or City of Gold

By Rosie Clark-Sutton Dubai is still growing and is becoming increasingly more modern, it may not be as well known as its reputation for being ‘The City of Gold’ but the fact remains that the historical side of Dubai remains its heritage and history.

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ubai hasn’t always been ‘The City of Gold’. The sun-scorched city was originally occupied by pearl divers, fishermen and traders. Being a popular trade route in the 1970s and 80s, Dubai became a free trading site for gold which encouraged gold smuggling into India. This trade helped Dubai make its mark in the business world and a popular tourist destination. However, the ruler Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum wanted more for his city and dreamed big. After finding large oil fields in Abu Dhabi, in 1966, Dubai struck the jackpot. The significant presence of ports and the natural resources in Dubai boosted the economy of the emirate, attracted business prospects from western manufacturers, making the city what it is today - transforming the once hardly known desert into a skyscraping, air conditioned dream world. Oil contributed 24% of GDP in 1990 and other resources like natural gas contribute around 3% for the UAE. Once little Dubai now attracts more tourists than the whole of India, more shipping vessels than Singapore, and more foreign capital than many European countries.

With all of these prospects boosting the economy, Dubai became more and more of a tourist destination, continuing to improve 110

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

and impress. It is a city that is constantly changing. It creates unique buildings, opulent architecture and artificial islands, which has overall increased the number of tourists visiting. The tallest skyscraper in the world, the Burj Khalifa, then became the next best thing, advertising the city’s wealth. Building a man made island in the shape of a palm tree and another in the shape of the world’s continents, all to accommodate the wealthiest of people. As outrageous as it may be, a brilliant business decision having seafront properties to sell for 7 million to 30 million dollars, however it all takes its effect. Environmentalists say, Dubai has killed coral, destroyed turtle nesting sites, and upset the marine ecology of the western Persian Gulf.

Many buildings and projects in Dubai remain unbuilt, having stopped due to lack of funds or resources. The result of its constant growth is taking its toll on the city.

The dispute as to whether Dubai is going above and beyond or just too far to accommodate its luxurious inhabitants is constantly ongoing. The process of building more modern tourist attractions has caused the natural Dubai to fall into the shadows of the high rise skyline. Locals and expats who have lived in the emirate for up to 30 years have seen the

changes the city have made, and unlike the visitors, still know where to go when they want a piece of Dubai’s natural heritage. Dubai Creek has been a very influential element to the cities growth, attracting settlers 400 years ago for fish and pearl diving. Bastakia Quarter was built in the 19th century, where a Persian came to trade in pearls and textiles, with access to the Dubai Creek and tax-free trading this became the start of city’s well known business. This tiny remnant of Dubai’s traditional and natural economy is still an attraction, to see where it all originated is sentimental and interesting to anyone who wants to learn. A final critical attraction is the Deira Souks, the famous traditional souks (markets). Deira Gold souq is world renowned as the largest gold bazaar in the world, and the reason Dubai is named the ‘City of Gold’. As well as jewels, the souks are full with spices, incense and amazing fabrics.

An English expat, Hannah Clark, 24, who is currently residing in Dubai says

However as popular as Dubai is becoming, there are a number of downsides to its increasing reputation. Dubai has spent a large amount of capital investing in its natural resources and it is taking effect on their environment and workforce.

Recently a study found the UAE to have come top in least environmentally friendly country due to its heavy use of air conditioning and building constructions. It is also well known the average laborer makes about four pound a day, working 12-hour shifts in scorching heat, which brings about many human rights issues, some may say slave labour. As oil prices fall the economy of Dubai becomes fragile, it isn’t well known that Dubai is in debt, owing money to neighbouring emirates. The future of Dubai depends on its need to change for cheap energy sources, as global warming is becoming increasingly important. Dubai needs to find a alternative energy source, that will work to its advantage.

“Over years I’ve watched Dubai grow, it’s become a concrete jungle, with a new tower appearing what feels like every day, something sinier or better that what once was. I wouldn’t change it though, so much inspiration has been brought to this city and has made the impossible possible. Dubai is the city that never sleeps and where the old meets the new to create something for everyone!”

NATURAL DUBAI OR CITY OF GOLD

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