Architectural Design - Visit to Dubai - Essay Example

? ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN My destination tour for my summer holiday was at Dubai, which has been a great target for tourist attraction. I had earlier visited Dubai but it was during a short notice. These large architectural designs had made me love the area. Dubai has been greatly influenced by the oil industry that has made it one of the best in world. Politicians and other celebrity have visited the area. During my visit in Dubai made me discover one of the best architectural designs. The words ‘first, tallest, deepest, most expensive, lavish, outlandish’ could have been created for this city. I visited the best seven-star hotel, and a series of 200 fabricated islands in the shape of the countries of the world, or climb the world’s tallest building that were captivating and had the best machines that could be used by man to satisfy one best lifestyle. Amidst all this modernity, as you head from a swim in the sea or a business meeting to designer boutiques, a round of golf or a top teppanyaki restaurant, the age-old souks still attract those who like to haggle. Yet only a few kilometers into the magnificent desert there are still camels roaming free that have been the ship of the desert. There is a vibrant and cosmopolitan air about Dubai, for instance the way the traditional abrasions boats carry a kaleidoscope of tourists side by side with sari-wrapped Indians and locals sporting spotless dish dash. Outside of Dubai life is more traditional and moves at a slightly slower pace.  As you explore the barren beauty of the mountains, or go about the UAE’s East coast beaches, you will find people friendly and willing to chat, even when lacking a common language. A visit to Dubai made me discover the varying culture in the emirates and the rule that abide them all as one family and community. Visitors to Dubai may be in for a bit of a culture shock. As well as meeting residents from every corner of the earth, you will mingle with traditionally dressed Gulf Arabs in their dishdashas and Abayas. There is also the sound of the mosques at prayer time, Arabic chatter in coffee shops, the sweet smell of Arabian shisha (hubbly bubbly pipes), the beautiful intricate writing. It is all part of everyday Dubai culture. The Dubai people have been very kind since time in memorial. The culture is adorable and through observations, I noted some of the ideas that made me feel impressed Emirati life is very much geared around families, with marriage and children being the bedrock of society. Hospitality plays a key role in Dubai culture, especially to strangers or newcomers, although older and more of the traditional Dubai citizens may be more reserved. Do not be surprised if you are invited to join an Emirati family for refreshment, and when carpet or jewellery shopping in particular, your tea will arrive almost before you do. It is polite to accept Dubai tradition like this graciously. This was one good experience that I had not heard or seen off. I found it difficult to cope with the situation as some of the activities had been prohibited such as drinking and smoking that made my life difficult. Islam is inextricably intertwined with the very fabric of UAE society. Muslims see the Qur’an literally as the word of God, and it issues very specific moral guidelines, dealing with all issues of daily living. For this reason, the book itself is strongly revered, and must be respectfully treated. Although the most open of Arab societies in its culture, the Muslim tradition in Dubai is no different as it is a way of living. Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims, is marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. As an Islamic country, Dubai culture is no different and many restaurants and cafes close during daylight hours. Non-Muslims should not eat, drink or smoke in public, but do so only in private or at specially closed off hotel restaurants. I found it genuine that the Arabs in United Arabs Emirates found it easy to cope with the life and act as staunch Muslim religion. With abovementioned trends as well as promoting Emirates as a new touristic destination came also requirements related to urban space. The expectations of wealthy western citizens to urban space quality but also to its shape are much defined – in many fields different to traditional urban space in the Arab culture. The question occurs if taking new action as well as new policies and strategies will translate to the harmonization of development. (Davis, 2007). Very often, the design of the key building was made by brilliant and world-know practitioner who in the same time knew next to nothing about traditional architectural context. In the larger scale, spatial policies and strategies often reflect neoliberal tendencies or just simply the dynamic of the processes is so big that it is extremely difficult to predict the scale and the direction of changes. Dubai is a prototype of the new post-global city, which create appetites rather than solve problems”. Despite the country’s image as an island of growth and prosperity the hyper-dynamic development and hyper-consumption are meeting contemporary challenges like global crisis and expected shortage of resources. This inspires the shift of Emirati spatial development to more sustainable solutions. It was also important for me to learn some little history of Dubai and I realized it was a young country and how it has reached to the great levels of better infrastructure and this is what I had to learn from it. Dubai being one of the youngest countries and being part of the United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s most dynamically changed countries in the sense of development and in other forms of infrastructure. Dubai has gone through building boom in comparison to any other country in the world in the short period as Dubai, which has developed in the span of forty years. Trade and multinational exchange that Is the backbone of its development represents mostly the hyperactive consumption and gigantism as the architecture is to be the biggest, the highest, and the most expensive technology ever experienced in the whole world. The capital city of Dubai, which is known as Abu Dhabi, holds a large part of Dubai’s economy is based primarily on the extraction of oil; this represents specific majesty that appear to be less interested in the general pop culture. The architectural designs that hold the scale of counts have the uniqueness, Innovativeness and the artistic value as the main criteria. The system not only reflects the social ties but has also caused by the specificity of the climate. Small-scale spaces provide vast access to shade. The presence of cars may occur in traditional Arab neighborhood however, the system is predominant by pedestrian. The fast development has led to the forgetting of the traditional pattern that is highly upheld by the inhabitants of Dubai. The structure of hyper-growing instant cities has been shaped by rectangular network of multilane roads. Investors uphold the principle of maximizing the contour of the building, however, the modern era of multi-level buildings of rapid urbanization is not much to do with intimacy of ‘Fareej’. The contemporary Emirate city is diffused. The iconic investments arise at large distances from each other - the primary criterion for location is the availability of parcel. This way the urban pattern is formed as a network of separated islands, between which movement is driven by favorable oil prices. Wide streets, which structure, unfriendly for pedestrians, deepens the lack of integration between residential zones, provide access between those centers. If other countries can make to reach such standards of having better infrastructure within no time, the world would be well linked to new different ideas every day. I happened to visit different sightseeing areas that made my days in Dubai such as the Creek as its water bisect the city it is a sight worth seeing by tourist. Sheikh Zayed road have the buildings stand like beauty queens competing to be the tallest, most stunning and graceful. An example of the large mega-commercial and recreational development is Madinat al Jumeirah, a sprawling complex that one enters through a fantastic gate and see the canal, which looks like Venice, completed with motorized gondolas. It is a relatively successful investment and a magnet not only for tourists but also for locals. It draws criticism, mainly for being Disneyland or Hollywood version of an “Arabian” tourist destination. Next two examples of such investments are shopping mall: Dubai Mall where we can find aquarium with sharks and Mall of the Emirates with biggest covered ski slope in the world. (Davis, 2007). Phenomena of “instant cities” basing their potential on cosmopolitanism is well describe in recent literature, however both Dubai or Abu Dhabi the situation is different as those metropolises are in the same time strongly conditioned by their culture and tradition. In those conditions, it is vital to consider needs of a multicultural temporary immigrants’ society in planning practice. Analyses of the master plan principles and study in situ arisen some important questions. Model of residential urban pattern was based upon Chelsea – London townhouses mixed incomes neighborhood, but would it be enough to provide diversity? Would it be applicable to the Abu Dhabi context and culture? Also the idea 40 000 daily commuters, mainly labor and service providers, seems to be against sustainability principles. Though as a whole, the Masdar project shows very new approach to use of the recourses in UAE and can initiate the change in mentality. As in most of projects, which come to life four decision-making factors have had to be balanced: cost, quality, schedule and sustainability, which is only one of them. (Elsheshtawy Y. (2009) We still stay with number of questions: does the identity have to be homogenous or uniform or can it be fragmented even contradictory and still work for individuals? What can be named as tradition and identity in a country, which history – and course of development – has started four decades ago? In the layer of nonmaterial features, it is Arabic; however, does it refer to urban pattern shaped with rectangular mega-quarters? In addition, the contemporary “globalist” identity of an Emirati city is difficult to determine as the main centers represent different aspirations towards the spatial development. ( Prakash V. (2011)) Because of the legal and economic system, the aspirations and goals of development are and in predictable future will be driven by the native minority. Nevertheless, the minority is ready to incorporate some elements of international lifestyles. Gradually spaces of recreation and integration of non-Arabic nature occur in Emirati urban pattern. On the other hand, there is a renaissance of the traditional elements of Arabic townscape like narrow shady streets or wind towers. They were re-discovered as a tool of sustainability. However, so far the sustainability is rather attempt to create new, more (not hyperactive) dynamic and innovative image. The time will prove if the new solutions develop enough to replace oil revenues. Paradoxically, the challenges of multicultural development and sustainability of cultural interactions will be present only in conditions of economic sustainability. ( Prakash V. (2011)) In Abu Dhabi ‘signature’ investment are not the towers but mostly large scale urban development projects such as Yas Marina or Saadiyat Museum Island – a project of creating a spectacular cultural district with branches of the Louvre and Guggenheim art museums. It has to be mentioned that also this project suffer from the crises. The Louvre branch, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, was originally scheduled to open in 2012, but that date was later pushed to the following year. A national museum and the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim museum were expected to follow in quick succession, with all three museums open by 2014, but also they will be probably postponed. Already finished Yas Marina with its circuit and hotel of fascinating architecture adhere to even more ambitious, integrated project of Capital District. Finally yet importantly - Masdar City - in Gulf there was no other development more eagerly anticipated and more widely announced. The rapid development in the gulf date largely from the sale of oil led has led to the striking development. Since (1918-2004), when sheik Zayed of who was the renowned architect at the time designed great designs of structures. Dubai is full of ways to have fun when the sun goes down, from the largest and latest clubs through to intimate lounges, bars and cafes. In Dubai, outdoor and beach clubs are popular too, and some of the best-known Dubai clubs and bars are in the leading hotels. There are popular clubs all over Dubai, with the biggest concentration in the beach hotels and on Sheikh Zayed Road. The Dubai club and bar scene effortlessly incorporates just about anyone, and age is no barrier providing you are over 21. Bear in mind that dress codes are generally applied fairly rigidly at all venues bar a few outdoor ones. Chart music is always popular, but many Dubai clubs and bars host live bands and theme nights. The trick is to be in the right place on the right night. There are local listings available through. Be aware that most Dubai clubs don’t generally get going until at least 23:00 and then close at around 03:00 and the experience is a wonderful experience to be enjoyed from the young and old. An example of Dubai at night can be seen in photos. I noted that through the time I spent in Dubai sports and recreational facilities’ were not neglected as Dubai sports cover an extraordinary spectrum, considering the desert location. Even, amazingly, a sizeable snow dome, with an even grander one planned. Dubai sports can mean anything from top golf courses, to dune bashing, horse and camel racing and more – Dubai is truly one of the world’s top leisure, sport, and recreational destinations. n Dubai, live sports enthusiasts are also well catered for, with highlights including the Dubai Tennis Open, the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, the fabulously fashionable Dubai World Cup, the richest horse race in the world. Then there is offshore powerboat racing and of course the wildly popular Dubai Rugby Sevens. Dubai shopping offers amazing opportunities. The age-old souks, ultra-modern shopping malls and promise of tax-free prices redefine the whole concept of retail therapy. Dubai is known as the shopping capital of the Middle East, and the best bargains are generally in the souks. Even luxury items such as carpets, electronics, gold, and textiles can be bought relatively cheaply if you know where to look when you are shopping in Dubai. No wonder that for many, Dubai shopping is practically a way of life to those who live abroad as the items bought are tax free this makes the commodity cheaper than from other countries. Business persons were all over the place looking for goods and other valuables to be taken back to their countries. Regardless of the local conditions, which has enabled the hyperactive development the phenomena of the Emirates city, has strongly been placed in the international trends. ( Prakash V. (2011)) Brenner and Keil saw globalization as a factor, which under temporary conditions consolidated, intensified, and accelerated the urbanization process (Brenner and Keil 2006). Globalization is already long-term process and it has been defined at the end of twenties century. Recognizing it after Held as a “widening, deepening, and speeding up world connectedness process in all the aspect of contemporary social life we can see that aspects of the social life infected by globalization cover not only economic restructuring but also social polarization, international crime, dominant cultures, pattern of international migrations and those of governance. (Elsheshtawy Y. (2009) The culture as “the moment we are living in now” is also connected to globalization and the concept of the “world citizen With abovementioned trends as well as promoting Emirates as a new touristic destination came also requirements related to urban space. The expectations of wealthy western citizens to urban space quality but also to its shape are much defined – in many fields different to traditional urban space in the Arab culture. The question occurs if taking new action as well as new policies and strategies will translate to the harmonization of development. Very often, the design of the key building was made by brilliant and world-know practitioner who in the same time knew next to nothing about traditional architectural context. In the larger scale, spatial policies and strategies often reflect neoliberal tendencies or just simply the dynamic of the processes is so big that it is extremely difficult to predict the scale and the direction of changes. Dubai is a prototype of the new post-global city, which create appetites rather than solve problems”. Despite the country’s image as an island of growth and prosperity the hyper-dynamic development and hyper-consumption are meeting contemporary challenges like global crisis and expected shortage of resources. (Elsheshtawy Y. (2009). This inspires the shift of Emirati spatial development to more sustainable solutions. The many Dubai restaurants and cafes mirror the melting pot of different cultures and nationalities that make up the city. Most of the more popular Dubai restaurants are in hotels, and you should be aware that these are usually the only establishments with alcohol licenses. That said, there are plenty of exceptional independent restaurants in Dubai. Cheapest are those venues, which offer tasty fare from the Indian subcontinent. Costs can creep up significantly for more specialized international cuisine, although dining in Dubai is normally good value. The one major exception is alcohol, which bumps up the bill significantly. Celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White have opened restaurants in Dubai. With leading Dubai restaurants such as these, you will always need to book beforehand. Finally, for dining with a difference, it is well worth enjoying a dinner cruise on a traditional wooden dhow on the Creek. My stay at Dubai was one memorable event that was captivated from another setting of life. (Elsheshtawy Y. (2009) The different lifestyle in Dubai had me feel a change that life had to offer. I took my flight back with the fly emirates that was one of the best flights I ever enjoyed. References Chambwe, A., Slade, P.D., & Dewer, M.E. (1983). Behavioural patterns of alcohol use among young adults in Britain and Zimbabwe. British Journal of Addiction, 78, 311-316. Chickering, A.W. (1969). Education and identity. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Church, A.T., & Lonner, W.J. (1998). The cross-cultural perspective in the study of personality: Rational and current research. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 29(1), 32-62. Cloninger, C.R. (1994). Temperament and personality. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 4, 266-273. Colder, C.R., & Chassin, L. (1997). Affectivity and impulsivity: Brenner N. & Keil K. (eds) (2006), The Global Cities Reader. New York and London: Routledge Caton S., Ardalan N. (2010) New Arab Urbanizm – the Challenge to Sustainability and Culture in the Gulf, Harvard Kennedy School, Middle East Initiative Davis M., Monk D. B. (2007) Evil paradises – Dreamworld of neoliberalizm, London, New York: The New Press Elsheshtawy Y. (2009) Dubai: Behind an Urban Spectacle, UK: T&F Books Read More