Dubailand


Among many other construction projects, Dubai is developing plans for a theme park called Dubailand which (if completed) will be twice the size of Walt Disney World! It will feature City of Arabia with the biggest mall in the world (and dinosaurs), Sports City with four huge arenas, the second-highest ferris wheel in the world, and the Snow Dome. See more pictures, and more odd theme parks, in the post World's Strangest Theme Parks. Link

But the economic downturn is hitting them hard, too....
Lets just say I know someone who recently met with a US developer who has been working over there. When asked about all those magnificent new buildings over there, he said, "Yeah, but it's like a 'Night of the Living Dead' film over there.... all those pretty buildings are EMPTY SHELLS with no tenants and it's a ghost town with NO activity."

The contractors are fleeing in droves, leaving everything behind.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
They went too fast in Dubai, it's one megalomaniac plan after the other, and few of them are ever completed. What about that palm-shaped condo? I think it will be hard for the city to swim against the current economic crisis. And the thing is, how sustainable is Dubai as a city? How does it fare regarding energy saving, waste management etc?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Dubai is cargo-cult culture. They want all the goodies that come from open Western culture but they don't understand that the goodies are an effect not a cause.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
However, Dubai is where Halliburton moved their world headquarters to, from Houston. Which means that they pay no US income tax on all of the no bid cost plus contracts they have been awarded in Iraq, in Aghanistan, and other locations.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Sentiment in the comments above is correct, Dubai will not survive this recession.. not because of strict laws, but simply because they have built the worlds largest and most glamorous ghost town.

My friend, a construction engineer had a job lined up and was ready to transport his family and possessions over before Christmas. They contacted him just in time to tell him that there was no longer any job for him - he's now going to Australia instead.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
You can't build a Vegas without the booze, gambling and sex and expect to survive. Why else are people going to suffer such hostile weather if they can't drink their way to being broke and infected with an STD?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 18 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"Dubailand"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More