The Gulf City, Rapid Urban Transformations and Globalization: A Critical Analysis of Al Garhoud, Dubai

Abstract

Gulf cities are experiencing rapid urbanization, driven by megaprojects that often prioritize prestige over inclusivity. This approach has led to a paradoxical situation of rising land prices, affordable housing shortages, high vacancy rates, and overcrowding. Using Dubai as a case study, the paper highlights how capital– driven globalization is pushing Gulf cities into unsustainable competition for investment, neglecting the needs of medium–and low–income migrants who are crucial to the regionʼs economic model. The current urban planning practices fail to integrate diverse communities and create shared urban identities. The paper advocates for a paradigm shift towards a "city for all", emphasizing socially and environmentally just urbanism. This shift should address challenges such as environmental degradation, inequality, and poverty through comprehensive changes in city planning and design.