I don't think these buildings have changed appreciatively in the year that I've been driving past them. While living in a perpetual construction site is one of the challenges of Dubai, it's also one of the things that keeps it interesting. The sculpted and over-landscaped vision of modernity that is creeping across this country still succumbs to dust at odd intervals, as new structures often adjoin job sites. The Marina in particular is full of underpopulated, yet completed residential towers that peer out into the skeletal frames of neighboring works-in-progress.
The city has the flavor of a lunar colony founded by a reformed pit boss. Neon lights trail off into temporary roadways ruptured by Dubai's uniquely convoluted progress. Each week the previous bypass is jackhammered into oblivion to make way for a new work around, a new concrete bandage.
The Metro is open, albeit with many lines still to follow, and the world's tallest building has already closed for repairs despite the fact that none of the floors are fitted out. While Dubai might be somewhat rushed, it's unfair to call it unaccomplished, as the city represents a remarkable achievement. What's difficult, is imagining a Dubai that could ever feel complete, and I guess no place ever really is.
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