Now it’s okay for Arabians playing around a little bit with Amazing architecture and Petro-Dollars, giving money and opportunity for several Western architect to implements their knowledge that could not be carried out in their hometown.

The point of it being posted here is for architects to see it and get inspired. Now we see architecture going into a newmovement, it’s not simple a safe shelter over head now, it is art. I am a design visualization specialist and I’m always excited for these types of projects even if they aren’t always completed, I marvel at the creativity.

Don’t get me wrong… but 99% of westerners are just here to make a bit of money then go back to their home countries. With a current population smaller than most small cities (at around 1.5 million) and very small real population growth (its reported as being 7% but about 35% of these people are indian workers who earn about a dollar a day – they obviously cant afford to buy even the cheapest apartment here).. plus 60-70% of all real estate purchasers and investors .. which when the market softens.. no one will buy and they’ll go back home.. plus about 90% of the population is in the real estate industry.. so once again.. once the market softens many people will leave as companies won’t be able to make any money if they dont have any people to buy their developments…. plus there is going to be a HUGE oversupply of every asset class starting from 2009.. and the demand/supply gap grows exponentially every year… plus their is now no liquidity in the market .. so no one can borrow money to make these developments.

In the end.. Dubai is just a developing country (I mean there arent even street addresses or mailboxes here!). Much like Shanghai was booming a few years ago.. the pricings were spiraling out of control… and now they have the highest percentage of incomplete buildings in the world. Given Chinas HUGE population.. and Dubai’s tiny 1.5 million (which i reiterate that a third is people that cant afford to buy McDonalds).. what do you really think are the chances of these buildings being built? Its all hype with no progress.. just look at Dubailand.. those theme parks are supposed to be completed next year yet its just a big pile of sand.

M, you need a reality check!

As far as the workers wages go: i suppose if the wage was low and not worth then the workers wouldnt work there. It is a similar situation as the position of the polish workers in the UK. The polish workers are prepared to work for a lower wage than that of a British worker. However i havent heard anyone complain about how low the polish workers are paid (but rather people moan about how the polish are ‘stealing’ our jobs).

So the moral of the story is: Have a better look at your own house before criticising that of your neighbours.

But I’m actually really glad that you posted that because it does point out an essential flaw in the “rags to riches” myth… That there really is no “rags to riches” and a lot of the US is living under the poverty line, child or not. Unfortunately it’s something that is often ignored. It’s also a question that I’ve posed to several politicians, “wht are they going to do about poverty in America?” … Especially because, unfortunately, in the current campaign it’s also been a very ignored issue. Simply ignoring a problem won’t make it go away.

I guess USA has its own skyscrapers…and it makes its funds..