Principales cambios que introduce el Tratado de Lisboa

The Executive Council, Government of Dubai (2014) framework for Dubai Plan 2021 addresses the urban environment and living experience of the people, with the aim of delivering the city’s aspirations in all areas, supporting and empowering individuals in achieving their goals. The urban environment has both natural and built assets. It treats the government as custodian of the city’s development in all aspects. Figure 2.20 has six main themes form the city’s vision for 2021, each highlighting a group of strategic developmental aims.

57

Figure 2.20: Six themes for Dubai’s vision for 2021 (Source: The Executive Council, Government of Dubai, 2014)

The six themes are:

• People: A city of happy, creative and empowered people • Society: An inclusive and cohesive society

• Experience: The preferred place to live, work and visit • Place: A smart and sustainable city

• Economy: A pivotal hub in the global economy • Government: A pioneering and excellent government

The plan addresses the traits and characteristics which must be reinforced and developed among the people of Dubai to ensure they can drive the city forward into the future. Accordingly, this theme focuses on reinforcing the feeling of responsibility everyone must have towards themselves, their families and society in pursuing and promoting education and personal development and maintaining a healthy lifestyle: enabling them to play an active, productive, and innovative role in all aspects of the society and economy. The aim is for educated, cultured and healthy individuals, productive and innovative across a variety of fields, proud of Dubai’s

58 culture, to provide the cornerstone for Dubai’s development across all fields.

Place

This theme focuses on improving Dubai’s liveability by building on and improving this experience. It addresses the need to provide the best educational, health, and housing services to all residents, while availing a rich cultural experience and entertainment options such as parks, beaches, and sports facilities that cater to residents and attract tourists, in the safest and most secure environment possible. Fig. 2.21 illustrates the aims as outlines in the Dubai Plan 2021.

The Theme key performance indicators of this theme are outlined on some of the important aspects that relate to the community living which includes, quality of living index, sense of security, availability of good and affordable housing, other than indicators on education, health and crime rates.

Figure 2.21: Dubai’s aims for The Preferred Place to Live, Work and Visit (Source: The Executive Council, Government of Dubai, 2014)

Society

Dubai is unique in terms of the diversity and cohesiveness of its society, forged on principles of tolerance, respect, forgiveness and communication since the city’s inception. This theme focuses on continuing Dubai’s tradition of celebrating diversity: enriching the city and driving its development by harnessing the talents and creativity of its global, diverse population. The

59 theme views the family as the building unit which nurtures and empowers the individual and emphasises the importance of social inclusion of all vulnerable groups.

Figure 2.22: Dubai’s aims for an inclusive and cohesive society (Source: The Executive Council, Government of Dubai, 2014)

Figure 2.22 above outlines the aim of an inclusive, cohesive, vibrant, sustainable, multi-cultural society, which provides a source of strength and pride and embraces civic values which treat all people equally. Cohesive families and communities form the bedrock of such a society, raising children inculcated in core values of personal responsibility, creativity and tolerance. The theme of experience focused on preferred place to live, work and visit. This theme focuses on improving the experience of residents and visitors based on liveability. The need to provide best educational, health, and housing services to all residents, while availing a rich cultural experience and entertainment options such as parks, beaches, and sports facilities that cater to residents and attract tourists, in the safest and most secure environment possible.

The place, A smart and sustainable city theme focused on building fully connected and integrated infrastructure that ensures easy mobility for all residents and tourists, and provides easy access to all economic centres and social services, in line with the world’s best cities. The theme addresses the importance of sustainability in managing against Dubai’s future growth by ensuring the availability of clean energy sources and protecting natural resources such as soil, water, and air, and promoting sustainable consumption. The theme also examines the urban environment of the city highlighting the need to adopt the highest standards of safety.

60 trade, logistics, finance and tourism. The theme focuses on This theme focuses on moving Dubai to a sustainable economic model driven by innovation, and productivity in capital and labour, and supported by the most business-friendly environment. In addition, the theme highlights the importance of a diversified set of value-add economic activities that would enhance Dubai’s economic resilience and allow it to absorb internal and external shocks. Dubai’s announcement as the capital of islamic economy is an important step in recognising Dubai as one of the leading economic centres.

Dubai Plan 2021 dedicates a theme to this idea, whereby people’s happiness and satisfaction with government services and policies are the primary measures for the government’s success. The theme pioneering and excellent government enhances government efficiency and transparency in all aspects.

Chapter Summary

The chapter discusses concepts, theories and research undertaken by various researchers in the area of urban social sustainability. The following are the key areas of the discussion of the chapter.

• The concept of urban social sustainability is evident for building guidelines for socially sustainable communities. The research by Dixon and Woodcraft (2013) that assesses social sustainability for a neighbourhood is an example that guides to understand the role of amenities in the neighbourhood to facilitate activities in the community. The socio-cultural aspects put forth by their research discusses on resident’s experience, perceptions of the neighbourhood, which play an important role in community living. These aspects are the reasons for enhancing social interactions and creating a sense of community.

• Social cohesion is identified as a key component in building socially sustainable communities. Various physical and non-physical factors contribute towards social cohesion. In countries such as the UK or Australia, social cohesion is considered an important element in the urban planning policy framework.

• The literature review has identified a gap in addressing the concept of social sustainability in the Middle East region. Developed countries address the concept of social sustainability than the developing countries. The transient nature of countries in the Middle East, with high expatriate populations, has yet to be addressed to a more detailed extent by academic

61 researchers. A study by Ahmed (2012) is a relevant example to understand the social sustainability of the Emirati locals and how urban design and planning can contribute towards enhancing socially sustainable communities.

• The literature summarises the role of urban planners and designers in creating physical elements which enhance social interactions among residents. The chapter summarises that Social interactions, social ties and a sense of community belonging contribute towards building social cohesiveness in the neighbourhood.

• The context of Dubai in the research area is emphasised in the chapter by an overview of the history of Dubai and its rapid urban development that transformed to an emerging global city. Influx of migration is an important in this study as people from various ethnic background reside together in this city.

• The Dubai Plan 2021 is introduced at the end of the chapter for the readers to understand the relevance of socially inclusive and cohesive society, people who consider Dubai, as a preferred place to live, work and visit as important themes. The concept of urban social sustainability is of enormous relevance to the urban planning of neighbourhoods.

• The chapter discusses the unique nature of Dubai’s urban spaces that are reflected in a study by Elsheshtawy (2013). This transnational space is referred to as space which is locally based but has connected globally to migrant home countries. The research methods adopted in the study that includes physical factors of the spaces to understand the impact of built environment on socio-cultural factors is further adapted to the study of the neighbourhoods and justified in research methodology.

• The chapter introduces relationship of neighbourhood design and social cohesion. Raman (2010) study on comparative analysis of neighbourhoods with various built forms and physical layout summarises that social cohesion varies due to the physical arrangement of building forms, landscape, street orientation and amenities. The study has been important to consider the impact of layout and design of the neighbourhood on social cohesiveness. The studies on urban form and neighbourhood are guidelines to understand the physical aspects of planning

• Social sustainability is an emerging concept in the Middle East. While it is widely applied in developed countries, many developing countries are yet to imply these theories,

62 concepts and ideas. A socially sustainable community is about society with high social capital, quality of life and well-being and communities that have strong social bonds between them. In a socially sustainable community, the people feel a sense of place and belonging. There is inclusiveness and cohesiveness within the community. The approach towards the concept of social sustainability varies with the context of geographical locations, the influence of economic, political and environmental and social circumstances. The indicators of social sustainability are very important to be addressed to build socially sustainable communities. In the context of the neighbourhood though urban planners, architects can play an important role, the success of building communities is also with the initiatives of authorities, key stake holders and residents themselves. Therefore, an integrated approach at broader level can help achieve social sustainability.

• Cities are drivers of changes, while some cities are more successful than the others. These successful cities give a conducive environment for residents to thrive and opportunities for healthy living. With the advent of globalisation cities will face challenges to accommodate increasing migrant population and therefore to build a liveable city should be on an agenda in future for all emerging global cities.

63