slowly wiping out the middle class

by Grace on October 13, 2008

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It’s been quite a while since I wrote about the recent happenings here in desert land.
I’ve been mentioning traffic, oh the traffic that still continues to plague us all every single day, except Friday morning of course when everyone is sleeping.

A few weeks ago, there was an announcement of another one of  Dubai’s major projects, the $95 billion Jumeirah Gardens. It will replace the old Satwa area.

This is what they plan on doing:

Glitzy, isnt it?

It says that Jumerah Gardens is a mixed use development and some buildings will be home to 50,000 to 60,000 residents, with the hidden line: that is, if the residents could even afford the rents!

An area with much lower cost in accomodation, Satwa was home to many people who only earns very little per month. Where will they go? In this new developed building?

I live in the quieter, less ‘in’ town in Dubai and the rent of a 2-bedroom flat has gone up to 125,000 dirhams/year (approx. US$34,000/year). I don’t even want to know how the landlords will charge an apartment in that sparkling town.

On another note, with the recent demolition of areas to pave way for new developments, it wouldn’t be a surprise that in a few years from now, most of Dubai’s traditional corners and old towns will be totally wiped out. Maybe one day, I’ll only have to show the photos of old Dubai to my daughter inside the museum.

More photos and the complete story here.

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Sandier Pastures » Blog Archive » An effective way to send expats home
July 16, 2009 at 3:01 pm

{ 4 comments }

1 Scott October 13, 2008 at 7:43 pm

Alas, such is the way of progress and development. As Cher famously said, ‘if I could turn back time!’

Scotts last blog post..The Vanished City of the Pharaoh

2 Krista October 13, 2008 at 8:37 pm

That’s pretty ridiculous. Where do they think the people will come from to live in these buildings? Especially if the current common people won’t be able to afford them.

Hey, I just read last night that a Saudi prince is going to build a building that’s over a kilometer tall. It also said that Dubai has said it will do the same. Do you know if this is the one already under construction or a new one?

Kristas last blog post..Aviation Day(s)

3 Alice Audrey October 13, 2008 at 11:32 pm

It’s glitzy all right, but I wouldn’t live there even if I could afford it.

Alice Audreys last blog post..NEW STOCK MARKET TERMS

4 Urban Thought October 14, 2008 at 3:48 pm

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the cost of your rent. That is an insane amount to pay for an apartment. I cannot get over that. I plan on visiting Dubai next year (keeping fingers crossed). It will take some time to save up for the trip but it should be very interesting.

Urban Thoughts last blog post..The Newark Chronicles Part 1: Finding Love in the Big City XX

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