Social Life in Dubai

Over cities, towns, and suburbs, an urban region is occupied with human settlement and modern infrastructure. The largest and most developed city in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf's southeast coast (Expat Focus, 2017). Due to its stable economy and lucrative oil industry, Dubai has become a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. Expats move there for economic reasons. Dubai is characterized by elegant skyscrapers that dominate the landscape; for instance, it has the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa is visibly ecstatic, and you can see it anywhere in the city. Virtually everyone drive which make the highways to be extremely busy with sleek and expensive vehicles causing a hitch in traffic flow (Expat Focus, 2017). The town has one of the best hotel and restaurant industries in the world, and therefore the atmosphere is filled with sweet aroma. Islamic culture being dominant in the city, you can identify architectural design livening Islamic theme on top of the building or sides. Mosques are numerous owing to their popular faith in Islam; however, one shocking revelation whereby Casinos and gambling sites are absent, a fact which cements their strong culture.

Moreover, Dubai is dominated by a youthful population of approximately 25-35 years busying in their errands and businesses. The city dwellers have self-discipline and respect by not getting intimate -close to each other in public which would involve, touch, and hug as it is with the western culture (Expat Focus, 2017). Also, residents appear to be sober and focused with no one drunk or smoking in public.

Importance of city-life description and what they tell about urban life

Dubai has a massive population with a multi-cultured setting. Life therein is attractive and thrilling owing to the flashy and lavishness offering a fantastic and spectacle experience. People with different cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and religion dwell in the cities working and doing businesses. Nevertheless, the low class or financially unstable people who migrate to the urban centers in search of jobs and a living form part of this population (Atia, 2017). The description of urban life is essential to give an insight of the life experience and therefore contribute to an individual decision making. Most importantly, the tolerance and appreciation of different culture form a vital concept in urban life (Kuran, 2012). However, different cities lean to a particular cultural belief and practice depending on the religious inclination and region where it is located.

Examination of urban life also reveals the difference in social class of the city dwellers. In most cases, the wealthy and rich always live a flashy life and own expensive assets whereas the low-class city dwellers experience suffering and challenges regarding accommodation. Exceptionally, Dubai experiences case of homelessness which is never in public where the majority of this group is composed of the immigrants and foreigners who lose their jobs in the course of their stay in Dubai and hence struggle to make ends meet (Badrulhisham & Othman, 2016). Also, it is uncommon to hear of homelessness in Dubai because of the healthy economy system and rules and regulations. Harsh measures could be taken for homelessness of non-locals which would include deportation of the immigrants. People successfully migrate to Dubai in search of employment opportunity. There is stringent immigration policies of visa renewal every 2-3 years serves to sieve immigrants who cannot afford basic needs like accommodation.

Cultural inclination and multi-culturalism

Dubai is rich in cultural diversity with immigrants from all walks of life. The majority of the population is made up of Emirati, followed by Asians especially Indians, and Filipino. The westerners form the least in population evident in a quick survey of the city population, with Britons and other races. Many people speak English in their interactions and business dealings, while few converse in Arabic (Atia, 2017). Perhaps, the English was chosen for communication because of the diversity of the population. The Emiratis mainly wear their national dress with a few deviating from their culture. Again, the foreigners and expatriates have absolute freedom to dress according to their preferences and tastes. Technically, this showcases that the city is liberal and multi-cultured owing to the positive gesture of style and preference (Kuran, 2012). Some individuals strictly demand cultural competence and adherence whereby they post notices on buildings requiring all the visitors to dress modestly and respectably; nonetheless, the rules though do not limit the city residents to wear the traditional Arabic outfits like hijab and full-length coats (Badrulhisham & Othman, 2016).

Economic disparity

Apparently, the economic disparity can be identified in the city although not a massively significant difference. The upper class is extremely rich evident in their fashion choice, vehicles they use and other accessories. Also, the system in the city favors the citizens who also have numerous financial benefits from the government (Badrulhisham & Othman, 2016). Therefore, there is a presence of an extremely wealthy upper class. Many middle-class and extensive invisible laborers largely dominated the expatriates. Although, expatriates who are in professional jobs also form part of the middle class, getting the only benefit of reduced rates on services.

Growth and Development

Gentrification explains the shift in property trends from one culture and practice to another owing to influence from various sources. Several regions in the Dubai have grown out of the traditional setting and infrastructural design due to the influence of foreigners and the need for the development of residential; for examples, the Jumeirah, Karama, and Satwa have experienced significant restructuring to accommodate the surging population. Ultimately, the villages have been slowed in the urban centers leading to the loss of identity of the locals therein.

Crime and Offenses

The dwellers of Dubai are respective and loyal to their religion and shariah law. Offenses made are severely punishable by the law which would include lashes, death sentence or serving a jail term. Usually, the westerners and other foreigners are the victims of offenses suffering jail terms unjustifiably.

Discrimination and racialism

Dubai has its social problems though discreet compared to other major towns. One issue of concern is racialism which is practiced in hidden; whereby, foreigners in Dubai are treated to harsh rules and punishment which would involve jail term or deportation.

Immigration policies and regulations

The low-class residents suffer many challenges to make ends meet where housing and accommodation pose a serious problem to their quality of lives (Kuran, 2012). The expensive urban lives make it difficult for them to afford rent and comfortably sustain themselves. Therefore, this paper sets out to enlighten the exciting and lavish life of urban centers as well as the challenges encountered by different people (Badrulhisham & Othman, 2016). Also, not all the city dwellers are well off and can afford a decent lifestyle and it is captured that there are different classes of people with the laborer facing living the lowest quality of life.

Urban problems and possible solutions

Dubai experiences social problems eroding the core of morality. The flashy life in the city and luxury makes it conducive to immorality and drug abuse. The visitors import their controversial practices and cultures which corrupts the locals causing them to lose identity. The clash of cultures can be sorted with designing policies which demand compliance with the local culture to receive services or smoothly operate in the cities. Urban sprawl is another adverse development faced in Dubai through the rapid growth of housing infrastructure from the city towards the countryside (Atia, 2017). Consequently, land that would otherwise be used in agriculture has encroached for construction of residential. A possible solution is to advise for the government to protect agricultural land through investing in the lands and make it virtually impossible for the city developers to en-crouch.

Immigrants and local citizens from the countryside visit the cities in pursuit of employment opportunities. If they fail to secure job opportunities, these people will be left idle thereby contributing to the anti-social behavior. Insecurity will crop with the unemployed population engage in theft, mugging, and pick-pocketing (Kuran, 2012). The situation can be escalated in some of the idlers to dangerous robbery with violence to meet their wants. The government can create jobs for the locals and sustain them with necessary benefits to afford a decent life. Stringent immigration policies should be put in place ensuring that foreigners only migrate to the city when they have job security.

Cultural dilemma

Dubai suffers dilemma of cultural disappearance because of the increasing population of foreigners with a different culture, cities risk losing their original identity. There are often conflicts in the culture of the residents resulting to people adopting common grounds and practices to reconcile the disparity. Dubai current culture tolerates prostitution and other foreign practices which happens indiscreet and in lavish places.

Conclusion

The population in Dubai city is multi-cultured evident in their daily lives. Dwellers have also embraced fashion trends with classy accessories and outfit. Except for the low-class citizens who nevertheless are descent dressed. However, the standard denominator guides to a proper dress code which is evident in the absence of people wearing seductive or revealing fashion. Even though there is a foreign influence, the original culture of the city which is Islam remains alive. Urban cities also experience a lot of dynamism occasioned by the surging population. Therefore, these places are overly congested which makes infrastructural and residential housings to advance to the countryside. Consequently, the villages and its people are slowed which ends up causing identity crisis. However, the immigrants might suffer homelessness because of unfavorable rules and policies. Crime and other immoral practices are also common in the urban centers. All these are caused by the entrance of foreigners with different cultural practices. However, Dubai has stringent and punitive policies on crime and other unethical behaviorism. Therefore, these measures have been used to reduce and eliminate illegalities.

















References

Atia, M. (2017). Urban Transformations in the Middle East and North Africa from a

Geographical Perspective. International Journal Of Middle East Studies, 49(02), 327-330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0020743817000101

Badrulhisham, N., & Othman, N. (2016). Knowledge in Tree Pruning for Sustainable

Practices in Urban Setting: Improving Our Quality of Life. Procedia - Social And Behavioral Sciences, 234, 210-217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.10.236

Expat Focus, (2017). Dubai: Overview. Retrieved on Dec. 7, 2017 from

http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-dubai-overview

Kuran, T. (2012). Synergies between Middle Eastern Economic History and the

Analytic Social Sciences. International Journal Of Middle East Studies, 44(03), 542-545. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0020743812000505