Keithz, I understand that citizenship is a privilege, but I would argue that the fact that there is no route towards citizenship for non-Emiratis fatally flaws the planning regime in the society, given that so many are only there while the getting is good, and few are realistically engaged in the building of the city. My point about the Pakistani making a complaint is not to say that they would be better treated elsewhere, I assume they can make their own decisions, but simply to point out that the political environment does not allow for resident's input into planning. Earlier you critiques Toronto's planning regime, and I find that false and silly when you promote Dubai's.
I do have some admiration for what they are achieving, and knowing how long everything seems to take in Toronto I am envious that they can turn things in a dime.
Your comment about blotting out the view of the lake undermines your arguments, however, given that more recent developments in Dubai (on the outer edges of Jumeirah Beach, starting at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and continuing west for many kilometres) have completely and utterly privatized the waterfront there. (Notwithstanding the long public beach that exists to that point). This is quite the opposite of what is happening on a much smaller scale in Etobicoke, where previously privatized waterfront is being (painstakingly) made public through gradual and willing sales from the owners to the city. Frankly, I prefer Toronto's approach 10,000 times over to Dubai's, and I think the results of both are plain to see from any exploration of the city.
But perhaps, as you suggest, in ten years they can come to Canada and host a session on urban development. I would call it: "Ensuring that only millionaires can get even within 500 m of your waterfront: The Dubai Experience".
Below, Dubai "waterfront" as it appears to one not staying at the Burj al Arab. Note the gatehouse. Following this is an example of the "Dubai Waterfront" west of the Burj. Walls and gates for kilometres on end, not one store, not one gas station, not one "amenity", nothing, but some nicely tended rows of flowers for the cars to pass by.