Detailed Specific Example: Dubai, UAE (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Case study: Dubai, UAE

• Dubai is an example of how globalisation can transform a city from a fishing village to a global metropolis within a short period of time

• Dubai has taken the opportunities of a connected world while also facing complex social, environmental, and economic challenges

• It shows both the benefits and the pitfalls of rapid global interaction

Dubai’s rise as a global metropolis

• Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has experienced one of the most remarkable transformations of any city in the world over the last 50 years

• Originally a small fishing village and trading port on the Arabian Gulf, Dubai’s early economy relied heavily on pearling, fishing, and small-scale trading

• The discovery of oil in 1966 dramatically altered the city’s fortunes

• While oil revenues initially financed much of Dubai’s early development, the ruling Al Maktoum family made a strategic decision to diversify the economy to avoid overdependence on oil

• Major investments were made in infrastructure, tourism, real estate, and finance

• Today, Dubai is renowned for:

  • Its towering skyscrapers, such as the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building

  • World-class shopping malls

  • Luxury hotels

  • Man-made islands (Palm Jumeirah)

  • Vast transport networks

• These amenities serve both the 3.5 million residents and more than 17 million international visitors annually, positioning Dubai as a key node in the global economy

How Dubai’s job sectors have changed over 50 years

1. Primary sector (reduced dramatically)

• Before 1975, Dubai’s workforce was dominated by primary sector activities — especially pearling, fishing, and limited agriculture

• The decline of the pearling industry (due to the invention of cultured pearls) and the strategic decision to focus on urban and service-based growth led to a major reduction in this sector

2. Secondary sector (increased steadily)

• The secondary sector — including construction and manufacturing — has grown enormously

• The demand for construction workers has been driven by continuous mega-projects: skyscrapers, artificial islands, airports, and transport systems

• Dubai also invested in free zones such as Jebel Ali Free Zone, which supports light manufacturing and re-export businesses

3. Tertiary sector (dominant today)

• The tertiary sector (services) is now the backbone of Dubai’s economy

• Key industries include:

  • Tourism: Hotels, restaurants, entertainment

  • Finance: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

  • Retail: Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates

  • Transport: Ports, logistics, and aviation

4. Quaternary sector (emerging strongly)

• Dubai is increasingly fostering a quaternary sector, focusing on:

  • Information technology: Dubai Internet City

  • Research and development: Dubai Science Park

  • Innovation and media: Dubai Media City
    This is part of the UAE’s Vision 2030 to create a knowledge-based economy

Impacts of globalisation on Dubai

Cultural shift

• Positive: Dubai has become a truly multicultural city, with immigrants making up around 85–90% of the population

• The city hosts global festivals, art shows, and diverse culinary experiences

• Negative: Some argue that rapid globalisation has led to the erosion of traditional Emirati culture and identity, as modern lifestyles and Western influences have become dominate

Environmental impacts

• Positive: There is increasing investment in renewable energy and green building initiatives

• Negative: Dubai’s development has had significant environmental costs

  • High carbon footprint due to air conditioning and car use

  • Destruction of marine habitats linked to artificial islands

  • Water scarcity issues, with reliance on desalination plants

Cost of living

• Positive: High-end services and amenities have improved quality of life for many residents

• Negative: The cost of living has soared, particularly in housing and schooling, making life challenging for lower-income workers

Regulating the rights of foreign workers

• Positive: International attention has led to some labour reforms, such as the easing of restrictions on workers changing jobs

  Negative: Many foreign workers, particularly in construction, continue to face poor working conditions, long hours, and limited legal protections — a major human rights concern

Tourism and business

• Positive: Globalisation has transformed Dubai into a world-leading tourism and business hub

• It hosts major international conferences, sports events, and millions of tourists annually

• Negative: The economy remains somewhat vulnerable to global events (like COVID-19), which can severely impact the tourism and service sectors

Impact of Emirates Airlines on Dubai

• Emirates Airlines is a key driver of Dubai’s globalisation and economic success

  • It also creates social and environmental challenges that the city must manage

• Emirates Airlines is a transnational corporation (TNC) based in Dubai

• It began operating in 1985 with two leased planes and now runs over 3,600 flights a week from Dubai International Airport

• The airline, together with its sister company Dnata, plays a major role in the local economy

  • Aviation contributed over 30% of Dubai’s GDP in 2020.

• Positive impacts include:

  • Creation of direct employment, particularly in aviation and ground services

  • Support for tourism and commerce, helping Dubai become a global hub for visitors and business

  • Sustainability initiatives such as using biofuels in staff transport and co-funding the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to protect local habitats

  • Connecting Dubai to over 150 destinations worldwide

  • Creating tens of thousands of jobs

• Negative impacts include:

  • The rapid growth of aviation contributes to carbon emissions impacting the environment

    • Although Emirates has taken some steps to address this, emissions from flights remain a major concern

  • Only 3% of Emirates staff are Emiratis; the airline relies heavily on immigrant workers, which affects Dubai’s demographics and increases pressure on housing and the cost of living

  • There are also concerns about maintaining profitability in an increasingly competitive global airline market