Last month, I had the pleasure of joining hundreds of ballet devotees to attend the ballet performance of ‘Giselle’ at Dubai Opera. At once, I was mesmerised by the sheer lavishness of the venue with its distinctive dhow-shaped exterior, welcoming waterfront promenade, and a bewitching 5,000kg chandelier. Big ovations go to not just the charming spectacle, but also the atmospheric theatre hall that transported us to a temporal poetic realm. Mind you, on first viewing, it is easy to overlook the intricate details of this masterpiece venue. Yet, in retrospect, its grandeur left an impression on me so deep that it got me curious about how captivating beautiful cities are to us all.
Let’s face it: Some cities have that subliminal allure about them; a soul sort of. When we define ‘quality of place’, we typically seek an interrelated set of factors that make us want to live in or visit a particular city. These include attractive economic opportunities, social equality, entertainment, health-care facilities, green spaces, cultural and heritage sites, modern transportation and suitable housing.
Yet, notions of what makes a city beautiful are expansive and go beyond the practicality. I’ll even be bold enough to state that aesthetically appealing cities can be a great source of happiness and satisfaction for people. In fact, in 2011, neuroscientists at University College London discovered that just looking at something beautiful, such as great art or design, can make us happy to that point that it induces the same euphoric feelings as being in love. Thus, I believe that governments can leverage beauty as a powerful tool in urban design and planning to boost tourism, stimulate economic activities, promote well-being and social inclusion and attract talent.
We all pay a premium for beauty in our everyday lives and this scenario is no different. People can be ready to pay much more for high-quality housing located in prime areas and those adjacent to prominent attractions or beaches and parks. In his groundbreaking study in 2006, urbanist Richard Florida surveyed young university graduates who confirmed that the aesthetic qualities of cities were the most important factor for their choice of where to live.
There are numerous examples of how beautiful cities appeal to a global audience. A good place to start is to check the world’s most visited cities. Author Alain de Botton suggests that “the places tourists go to is a measure of how beautiful we find those places”. Let us take Paris as a case in point. It is so easy to fall in love with this enchanting city with its wide tree-lined boulevards, romantic gardens, dainty cafes and chic squares.
Yet, this distinctive appearance of central Paris is largely as a result of a vast public works programme that occurred between 1853 and 1870 by Georges-Eugene Haussman. Before the renovation, Paris was congested, filthy, dangerous, disorganised and unsanitary. The ambitious urban renovation plan resulted in a remarkable transformation of Paris by introducing wide boulevards, manicured parks, sewage systems, train stations, clear districts and unified building facades. In fact, several iconic Parisian landmarks were also built during this phase, such as the Paris Opéra, boulevard Saint-Germain, Jardin du Luxembourg, and the Étoile around the Arc de Triomphe. Moreover, Haussmann and his team had managed to plant 600,000 trees and added a further 2,000 hectares of parks and green spaces to Paris in only 17 years. The result? A city that now boasts of more than 18 million tourists annually.
In addition to the aforementioned facets of city beautification, many projects can be considered to increase community satisfaction. For example, we know from research that experiencing natural beauty can increase levels of well-being and can reduce stress. That is why the presence of green spaces allows citizens to enjoy relaxing activities and to engage in a more active lifestyle by walking or exercising. In Dubai, for example, we have been lucky to enjoy free outdoor workout facilities located at several public parks and beaches, such as cycling and jogging tracks, basketball courts and playgrounds. This is a wonderful idea of how a city can be designed to make people healthier and happier.
We are also attracted to beautiful buildings and areas because they represent our civic pride in the form of status, stories and moments. Places like Zayed National Museum, Union House and Burj Khalifa tell the tales of visionaries, perseverance and success. They are a celebration of what our great country has achieved thus far. So do cultural and social facilities that act as platforms for fostering community dialogue and enhanced social inclusion. Abu Dhabi’s Manarat Al Saadiyat (literally translating into ‘the place of enlightenment’) is a gorgeous venue that plays an excellent host for art exhibitions and various events.
My country grows lovelier each day with these beautiful developments. That said, it is important for urban planners to improve access to some essential facilities and venues. Everyone should have the right to enjoy our beautiful country regardless of income, location or age.
Sara Al Mulla is an Emirati civil servant focusing on human development policy and children’s literature.
