DUBAI NEEDS DESIGN THAT FITS ITS REALITY

In the rush to import global design trends, architectural firms tend to overlook something fundamental: context

- BY ABDULLA AL SHAIBANI | Special to Gulf News

As Dubai continues to cement its position as a global hub for real estate and design innovation, we find ourselves at the intersection of international ambition and local reality.

The city has long attracted celebrated architects and design firms from around the world, eager to leave their mark on one of the most dynamic skylines on the planet. But in the rush to import global design trends, there is a growing tendency to overlook something fundamental: context.

Too often, we see developments shaped by foreign firms who bring creative ambition — but lack the understanding of Dubai's climate, infrastructure, and lifestyle. These aren't simply aesthetic mismatches.

They are missed opportunities to design intelligently, sustainably, and in alignment with how people actually live here.