IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

In international rankings, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are not only considered “livable” cities but also highly desirable destinations for international migrants. While the criteria for such classifications shoud be debated, the demographic reality remains clear. In these global cities, over 90% of the population is of foreign origin. To accommodate and manage a diverse migrant population, Emirati authorities have implemented various strategies. Historically, the ‘Dubai model’ positioned workers in the UAE as temporary, ‘transient’ residents regardless of their status. The immigration system, rooted in Bedouin cultural traditions, emphasized that expatriates whether labourers or expatriates in multinational corporations would eventually leave the country. Over time, changes in property ownership policies altered this dynamic. Foreigners could now stay in the country as long as they owned property, shifting the perception of residency and time. This evolution has sparked discussions in anthropology, reframing debates on integration and assimilation as a form of coexistence. Maintaining law and order has been a cornerstone of Emirati governance, exemplified by restrictions on political debates in public spaces. Additionally, in line with Islamic values, authorities have developed a concept of tolerance. As a result, migrants are free to practice their faiths, whether from Abrahamic religions or others, such as Hinduism, as demonstrated by the construction of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi.