A common sight in Dubai are people waiting by bus stops, crammed into any available shadow cast by signs, benches, or the rare tree to escape the tremendous heat. The people waiting for the bus tend to be the many immigrants from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines who have come to help fuel Dubai’s rocket-like economy.
Working in construction and the booming service industry, these immigrants are a key component of Dubai’s economic growth. With 1/6th of the world’s cranes in Dubai, construction workers are vital (though supply and demand wages don’t seem to be playing into their working conditions. Read more at the link on human rights to the right). The hotel industry is outpacing the supply of hotel staff and the 3:1 ratio of workers to hotel guests is declining (by comparison, in London the ratio is more like 1.5:1).
Together with the workers from worldwide who are staffing the offices and filling higher management positions, these people are creating what could be the next major city. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum envisions Dubai as filling the gap in markets between New York, London, and Tokyo. Even the fashion world is coming on board, as Dubai hosts its first international fashion week in March of ‘07. Looking at the map, this vision makes sense. Precious little exists in that region in the way of successful and creative places with the capital and size to move forward.
So keep an eye out for Dubai. With its combination of international flavor, forward-thinking and dynamism, this city is bound to take its place as a major world city in the coming decades.
