Dubai: The Making of a Megapolis

by Pranay Gupte

In just two decades, Dubai has reinvented itself from a small, poor and quiet fishing village to a dazzling city with a vibrant urban life. How did this happen? Home to more than 200 nationalities particularly those from the Indian subcontinent the emirate s choice to welcome expatriates has paid off.

Cultivating an open and welcoming culture, Dubai manages to attract people from all over the world, heartily embracing any entrepreneurial contribution they wish to make. The emirate is now also known for its cosmopolitan melting-pot culture, and its enabling environment to conduct business, and this, along with the tax-free system and hassle-free infrastructure, makes it a much sought- after site for multinational enterprises who want a base in Asia.

Unlike the Gulf emirates that can count on petroleum wealth, Dubai has wound its way to prosperity by planning carefully and executing those plans methodically. Its airline and luxury construction have made it a popular destination for luxury tourism. Projects like the Burj al-Arab, the Palm Jumeriah and the Burj Khalifa, along with events like the world s richest horserace the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Shopping Festival, have sustained tourist interest and focused the world s attention on the emirate.

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ashwath · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a bad book. pretty interesting. there is rather too much emphasis on shaikh Mohammed and less focus on Dubai the city, which makes the title in a way misleading. some very important facts and figures have been mentioned but still feels incomplete. at various stages of the book, I felt that it was one-sided and oblivious to the other facets of the story of Dubai and as a resident of Dubai, I can confidently say that this book leaves out much to be talked about.