Dubai is nuts

**Coyote** · 18th February 2008, 20:55

http://www.dubai-architecture.info/DUB-GAL1.htm

Wow

**Boob Johnson** · 18th February 2008, 21:05

Madness I tells ya...........MADNESS!!!!

**riffer** · 18th February 2008, 21:26

Just think of that every time you fill up your bike.

At least 40% of every tank is going towards creating that.

**PrincessBandit** · 18th February 2008, 21:37

15 - 25 % of all the worlds cranes - how greedy can you get??? Then they couldn't even let NZ have 2 islands (sorry Stewart Is.), we just look like part of the border around the pretty map!
Seriously, isn't it a bit rich that America gets such a bad rap for hoarding money, resources rah rah rah when so much of the world is in economic poverty.....the UAE are obviously not interested in easing the struggle against global hardship as all that construction and development isn't paid for with air!

**Finn** · 18th February 2008, 21:50

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

15 - 25 % of all the worlds cranes - how greedy can you get??? Then they couldn't even let NZ have 2 islands (sorry Stewart Is.), we just look like part of the border around the pretty map!
Seriously, isn't it a bit rich that America gets such a bad rap for hoarding money, resources rah rah rah when so much of the world is in economic poverty.....the UAE are obviously not interested in easing the struggle against global hardship as all that construction and development isn't paid for with air!

Oh for fuck sake. Get a life.

**hazard02** · 18th February 2008, 22:03

Does it worry anyone else that these epic feats of engineering are being constructed by what is essentially slave labour? Maybe its just me, but I'm a firm believer in 'you get what you pay for.'
In saying that, the pyramids of Giza were also constructed with slaves, and they still stand after 3000+ years.
Fucked if I'm going there though

**Steam** · 18th February 2008, 22:09

This is the high-point, the glory of Rome.
Now for the fall...

**Wiki Drifter** · 18th February 2008, 22:25

Burj Dubai ranks No.2 in my favourite evil architectural monstrosities, right after the Ryugyong Hotel

**Conquiztador** · 18th February 2008, 22:28

You are just jelous!

I for one have plans of one day being there and working. If for nothing else, then for the experience!

Here the proposed bridge:

Dubai is the Tetsuo of cities, expanding so fast it's on the verge of creating of its own universe. And architecture that looks like it's from the 22nd century only adds to the sheer grandeur of its growth—this bridge, envisioned by NY architecture firm Fxfowle, will be the largest and tallest arch bridge in the world, at one mile long and 670 feet tall. Construction starts next month and is due to wrap up in 2012 after running some $900 million dollars. World's first vacuum tube mass transit system will launch in Dubai shortly thereafter.

**Livvy** · 19th February 2008, 06:35

I've been to Dubai Airoprt before and that's just as "bad" as the rest of the place. It took us twenty minutes walking PLUS a busride to get to our plane for our transfer, and that wasn't even from one end to the other of the airport...

We flew out during the day so I saw Dubai from the air and it looks amazing. I'd definitely go back there, to visit, or as Conquiztador says, work.

But screw being on the top floor of some of those hotels when you're staying there. The elevator ride would take friggin' forever! The view would almost be worth it... But imagine if you'd finally got down to the foyer, then realised you'd left your sunglasses on the bed... You'd want to kill someone. Probably the architect.

**jrandom** · 19th February 2008, 07:23

Originally Posted by hazard02

Does it worry anyone else that these epic feats of engineering are being constructed by what is essentially slave labour?

Eh?

As far as I recall, it's mostly Indians working on those projects, and they're being paid well enough to pack their bags, leave home for months on end, and travel all the way to the middle of the desert to swing hammers and drive cranes.

Dangerous, unpleasant work, sure, but not slave labour.

**Finn** · 19th February 2008, 08:08

Originally Posted by hazard02

Does it worry anyone else that these epic feats of engineering are being constructed by what is essentially slave labour?

It's called capitalism. Dubai's residents don't really need to get their hands dirty because their Government looks after them so they hire a workforce from a country who's doesn't. They work there voluntarily.

The ignorance and small mindedness of the average kiwi astounds me. It's little wonder NZ is quickly working its way to the bottom of the OECD pile.