Dubai or Ulan Bator?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

even though Dubai is going to be the most important city in the world by mid-century.

Even though it has more or less nothing going for it longterm?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Shh, it's Beet.  He knows all about the future.

Maybe he also derives solace from Dubai's tall tall buildings.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Some doofus in the countries polls described Japan as a "nightmarish dystopia". I think this description fits Dubai perfectly.

[Chunk Yogurt for President!]

Let's consider some of the UAE's laws:

First there is the usual for the region, capital punishment for apostasy and homosexuality.  An expatriate was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, though it appears that adulterers usually only get flogged.  Rape victims are often imprisoned for reporting rape.

And then there is the outright bizarre:

-A man went on trial for a "gay handshake."
-Kissing in public can result in deportation.
-Amputation and Crucifixion are used as punishment.

It's an authoritarian country that has a cities with ugly tall buildings.  I don't understand why anyone would want to live there.

[Beet]

even though Dubai is going to be the most important city in the world by mid-century.

Even though it has more or less nothing going for it longterm?

Okay, maybe "will be" is a bit bold. But it certainly has a better chance than any other non-Western city since industrialization. As for what it has going for it, that is clear, the same thing as any other city: wealth. Wealth will draw in people. From 2005 to 2013, the population increased by 75%. People will draw in more wealth, and so on. Just this year, it has surpassed Heathrow as the world's busiest airport.

As for the oppressive political arrangements in the city that are so upsetting, I think history has shown that an oppressed majority cannot forever be held in chains by a privileged minority.

[politicus]

even though Dubai is going to be the most important city in the world by mid-century.

Even though it has more or less nothing going for it longterm?

Okay, maybe "will be" is a bit bold. But it certainly has a better chance than any other non-Western city since industrialization. As for what it has going for it, that is clear, the same thing as any other city: wealth. Wealth will draw in people. From 2005 to 2013, the population increased by 75%. People will draw in more wealth, and so on. Just this year, it has surpassed Heathrow as the world's busiest airport.

As for the oppressive political arrangements in the city that are so upsetting, I think history has shown that an oppressed majority cannot forever be held in chains by a privileged minority.

If there is one area of the world where I would fully support a violent revolution it would be the Gulf States.

[Beet]

As would I. Of course it would result in a nasty recession for the duration, but it may well be worth it.

[Türkisblau]

Beet, do you not understand that many here appreciate nation beauty as well as interesting cultures that are not extremely repressive?

Being a financial center or "important city" 30 years from now really does not matter to me as much as it does to you, I guess.