Dubai to construct the world’s largest airport for $35 billion, but can this luxury handle drastic climate change?

Dubai’s ruler announces construction of the world’s largest airport but what are the issues with this new project?

The skies of the United Arab Emirates have just been cleared up from their unprecedented rains and thunder. And now the ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced a $ 35 billion (2.9 lakh crore) project to construct the world’s largest airport in its most populous and popular city, Dubai. 

As of now, Dubai has two airports- the Dubai International Airport and the Al Maktoum/Dubai World Central International Airport. It is the existing Al Maktoum airport that will be expanded as part of the project. 

As per reports, the expansion includes: 

• Capacity to accommodate around 260 million passengers annually (5 times more than the capacity of the Dubai International Airport)

• Five runways

• 400 terminal gates 

• All operations of Dubai International Airport are to be shifted to Al Maktoum 

• Building a city around the airport

This decision has come forth with certain criticisms on very relevant and logical grounds, such as: 

Adaptation to climate change

The recent rains in Dubai had the whole city flooded with water to the brim. And the airports were no exceptions either. 

The terminals, tarmac, runway, etc, every part of the Dubai International Airport was filled with water. This unforeseen rain had passengers trapped in the flooded airport with no way out. 

Similar situations were seen on the roads and malls of the city as well, with floating cars and stranded tourists. These rains proved how unprepared one of the world’s richest cities of one of the most influential countries is when it comes to climate change. 

No proper drain systems, or rainwater harvesting mechanisms; even the airports of the city could not cope with rain. Which puts the question forward that, while most of Dubai’s projects are quite extravagant and luxurious, are they really productive or only for show? 

Execution of projects

Oftentimes announcements from the UAE float around pertaining to the construction of the world’s largest something, whether towers, hotels, islands, and whatnot. But how many of these overly ambitious projects have we seen being completed and executed? 

Many of these mega projects announced have had a lot of drawbacks such as incurring financial losses, lack of investments, lack of demand, and loss of appeal. 

Some of the failed mega projects of Dubai are: 

• Dubai Land: Announced to be the world’s largest theme park, this huge project has remained undeveloped since 2007, due to lack of foreign investments. 

• Jamira Garden: This ambitious housing project was once touted as a campaign to develop the standards of living for around 2,50,000 residents. But this project never came to its completion and has been suspended for the time being. And no suspended project has ever been completed in the city. 

• Palm Islands: One of Dubai’s most ambitious projects has been the construction of these artificial islands with posh villas and resorts. India’s own Shahrukh Khan is known to have bought property on this island. But despite the popularity and promotion, this project has been unable to achieve appeal. Lawsuits and delays have further marred the interest of customers in this project. 

• Dubai Creek Tower: Even bigger than Burj Khalifa, this sky-scrapper was supposed to break all records. But this project has also been suspended for the time being given infrastructural difficulties. 

• Universe Islands: Sometimes Dubai announces a project that seems impossible to build in nature. One such project is the Universe Islands, which was a strip of artificial islands constructed to replicate our solar system. Unfortunately, a lack of interest from investors and no appeal among buyers made sure that the project be indefinitely suspended. 

The Al Maktoum International Airport was also started as a mega project, but dismal interest from airlines saw no plans of expansion, that is until 2024. 

Environmental concern

Most of the UAE, along with Dubai, has vast stretches of deserts with unique flora and fauna that contribute to their natural resources. 

But the speed of the city’s industrialization and urbanization has destroyed many of these resources. On top of that the current playing around with natural processes has shown drastic results, such as cloud seeding and the “coincidental” heavy rains and floods in the country. 

As a desert Dubai is always vulnerable to climate change, hence water scarcity and contamination is an areas of problem for the future. 

But despite these problems, numerous projects have been announced in the city that worsen the situation. Such as the building of artificial islands has killed many marine wildlife, changed sediment composition, and promoted more water pollution. 

Hence, constructing the world’s largest airport will also have many degrading results for the environment. Such as an increase in noise pollution, air pollution, more carbon emissions, and rapid burning of fossil fuels. 

The Dubai International Airport already contributes to all of these problems many-fold, but the new airport is said to be five times more than this, so the issues will increase by five times as well. 

Human rights violations 

Dubai has one of the worst rates of migrant worker abuse. Many of their projects are made by exploiting cheap labor from third-world countries. 

Even the popular Dubai Expo, which is a stage for every country to showcase its art, culture, and heritage, has been reported as a breeding ground for worker abuse. 

The kafala system in UAE is another synonym for bondage labor. This gives employers the right to govern their workers in most aspects of their lives. Most labor laws in Dubai violate the international standards of human rights. 

Migrant workers in Dubai are also very unprotected from their climate crisis. Most migrant workers are either chronically ill or weak. But they have no rights to ensure a good working environment and medical protection.

Therefore, for every ambitious project announced in Dubai, thousands of migrant workers are deployed from third-world countries to work in putrid conditions. 

But despite these issues and criticism why is that Dubai continues to announce such ambitious mega-projects? 

The United Arab Emirates has many aspirations to become the global center. This title is currently held by the USA, whose politics, trade, and economy affect the world. 

The UAE administration has planned and is still planning many different tactics to develop Dubai as the world’s hub. For culture they have started the Dubai Expo, to develop their entertainment industry they have invited artists and actors for concerts, film shoots, and fashion shows. And for economic growth, they are vying for the attention of many of the world’s largest industries. 

Sheikh Mohammad even sent a message through Twitter that, the construction of this massive airport and a city adjoining it will make sure that Dubai will host the companies leading in the airline sector. 

So pertaining to these rapid expansions, here are the other upcoming mega projects of Dubai: 

• Dubai Islands is another artificial island residence to drive more global engagement.

• Dubai Metro Blue Line will act as an extension of the Red and Green Lines.

• Deep Tunnels Portfolio is a project that involves building sewage and waste treatment systems around the whole city.

• Dubai World Trade Center will have two towers which will be both residence and office space. The sky bridge connecting the towers will be a hotel.

• Palm Jebel Ali will be even bigger than the existing Palm Islands known as Palm Jumeirah. 

• Al-Habtoor towers will have 73 floors and is said to become one of the largest buildings in the world once completed. 

Dubai has many ambitious projects planned to meet the rapid industrialization needs and attract global demand. 

“Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global center”, said the ruler.