13 Feb 2010
of dubai and burj khalifa
the hype of burj khalifa (formerly burj dubai) image source
so only a few weeks after the opening of burj khalifa; now it mysteriously closed down from public, giving a bitch slap to tourists in dubai. I believe the name dubai itself disgraces the field of architecture.
first, architecture in dubai is not driven by demand or even wealth; since the fishing village has little oil compared to its neighbour abu dhabi. dubai literally has nothing, it’s just a sand castle built off the desert. today’s population of dubai consists of only 17% emirati locals and 3% “western” with awfully lot 70% of foreign south asian workers. you thought you would meet celebrities like brad pitt or davd beckham in dubai? think again.
how messed up dubai is can be described with its address system. I quote:
“Despite having a large population, Dubai has no address system. None at all. If you want something delivered, you have to draw a map. If you want to take a taxi, you have to draw a map. If you want to find your way home drunk, you’re fucked.” – cracked.com
ultimately architecture there is driven by hype; a tradition started by burj al-arab, taunted as the world’s only 7 star hotel.
burj freaking arab. image source
now the economic recession has hit dubai and literally dubai is now the city of debt with amounts up to $59 billion or 145% of its GDP. burj khalifa is probably the last proper project completed in dubai; all other mega projects are either postponed or cancelled.
and those workers that build those glimmering skyline of dubai are slaves, modern-day slaves! their passports are confiscated, authorities doesn’t give a damn and they’re stuck there working less than $150 a month for the rest of their lives. their living conditions are worse off than dogs; yes even dogs have better ‘human’ rights than these trapped workers! buildings built by slaves are not architecture; they are just phallic icons as if it is shoving middle finger to human rights to the rest of the world.
did the slaves built them? or alien UFOs?
p/s: aren’t the great pyramids were built by slaves you say? no, the pyramids were built by skilled workers with paid salary as a respect for the king. and I quote,
“These farmers and local villagers gathered at Giza to work for their god kings, to build their monuments to the hereafter. This would ensure their own afterlife and would also benefit the future and prosperity of Egypt as a whole. They may well have been willing workers, a labor force working for ample rations, for the benefit of man, king, and country.” - NOVA PBS
interesting read / references:
- archinect: burj khalifa closed indefinitely
- cracked: how fked up is dubai
- nytimes: dubai debt woes
- independent: dubai modern-day slaves
- nova: who build the pyramids
so what about dubai?
“dubai, the best fked up place in the name of architecture.” – yangsquare
An architectural student from malaysia, studying in Curtin University, pursuing his Master in Architecture. Contact at yang(at)yangsquare.com
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of dubai and burj khalifa – architecture enlightens life | Dubai for Visitors
February 14th, 2010 at 4:16 ampermalink
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2/14/2010 Update « DubaiScene
February 14th, 2010 at 1:20 pmpermalink
i am alveena i am architect and interior designer actuly i want work with you so plz contect with me
alveena
February 15th, 2010 at 8:06 pmpermalink
Dubai is also a place where the world’s wealth has been wasted and resources have been blew. I myself would only go to Dubai for it’s “shoving middle finger to human rights to the rest of the world” architecture works, to satisfy my curiosity. But please, not any act of paying them, gasoline pays their ambition, not their smart brain formulate their wealth and businesses.
Paul
February 16th, 2010 at 8:58 ampermalink
I cannot accept the truth as what you mentioned to the prosperity of burj khalifa. Outsider like me will only know burj khalifa is a great architecture work.
Kkian
February 16th, 2010 at 3:14 pmpermalink
I agree with some of your content, mentioning that Dubai is now a city of debt…previously, Dubai is seen as the city of fantasy, where all amazing projects are planned and proposed..due to the global economic crisis, dubai now depends on the loan from abu dhabi..
however, there are few pieces of great architecture able to be completed at dubai too, including the world tallest man made structure, burj khalifa…it is a nice building too, in terms of architecture (not to say the best)…
only the economic and the ‘behind-the-scene’ of construction workers are bad…but these are international architects’ works…
vincent
March 1st, 2010 at 11:47 pmpermalink
and one more point, dubai does not disgrace the name of architecture,,,dubai has able to build some great works…dubai should grows in steady rate, and not in overfantasy rate…
vincent
March 1st, 2010 at 11:49 pmpermalink
Agree with your content. But still, they has some awesome architecture that amaze me.
@rief
March 15th, 2010 at 1:54 pmpermalink
You narrative is confusing……r u commenting economicly of dubai or the architecture you have read in tabloids?…..do more research before passing on peoples ideas n comments…..
jay
September 25th, 2010 at 8:42 pmpermalink