The Middle East has historically been viewed as a region of underdevelopment in almost all areas, particularly in education, recreation and real estate and infrastructure. Further, not only development in Middle East has been viewed as an anomaly in a region long known for conflict and destruction almost exclusively but also forunsustainability of development efforts particularly in areas requiring longer and insightful strategies such as education, recreation andreal estate and infrastructure. This view has recently, however, shifted given unprecedented changes inpublic policies for areas in question. This paper aims, hence, to explore recent developments in education, recreation and real estate and infrastructure in order tore-focus attention on such areas.
Education remains a crucial Middle East question of development.Region-wide research has been conducted in order to assess education quality and (in)equality (Akkari, 2004; Chapman & Miric, 2009).A recent research shows, for example, Arab Middle East region witnesses a revolution in education, particularly higher education (Romani, 2009). For not only is higher education, specifically in GCC countries,radically internationalizing higher education institutions, which only brings in massive social impacts ontoGCC societies, particularly Qatar and the UAE whose investments in offshore as well as national higher institutions far surpasses comparative investments in Middle East countries (Romani). Expansion in education in Middle East, as well, recent research increasingly finds out, is ushering in political changes, and is promising of further democratization and economic development.Thanks to recent public policiesin GCC countries, younger generations of learners are assuming increasingly important international roles as global social entrepreneurs, political activists and high caliber economists.
Further, advantages of a shifting educational landscape in Middle East region cannot be overemphasized in areas of gender equality and women empowerment (Roudi-Fahimi & Moghadam, 2003). Increasing evidence of women assuming leading roles in Middle East countries attests to a radical cultural change sweeping, notwithstanding gradually, across a region historically biased against women in public arenas.
As well, recreation – specifically sports – has witnessed unprecedented developments in Middle. Traditionally, women used to either watch soccergames passively among family members at home and rarely at stadiums in company. This is again changing radically in at least some Middle East Arab countries such as Morocco and Egypt (Matuska, 2010). Long viewed as a men-only game, soccer is increasingly being played by women in public (Matuska). Though motivations are different, soccer is seen as a social liberator for women and re-shaper of gender space.Against a background of gender bias, Moroccan women are emphasizing women's public visibility not only locally but at Middle East at large.
Notable, in addition, isgreater world focus on Middle East countries as international hubs of sport organization. One outstanding example is Qatar's choice as organizer of 2022 FIFA World Cup ("2022 FIFA World Cup QatarTM", n.d.).This does not only emphasize Middle East's emerging significance as international sports hub but also as a destination of choice forinternational investors in real estate and infrastructure. Indeed, projects of infrastructure development connected to World Cup in 2022 – such asrail networks,long-distancemotorways as well as ultra-modern stadiums – only re-focus attention on Middle East as an international region of promise for unprecedented and innovative real estate boom. In fact, developments in Middle East cannot be complete in absence of revolutionary shifts in areas of real estate and infrastructure.
The Middle East, particularly, GCC countries, has witnessed radical changes inbuilding cities since independence from colonial powers. Yet, like many radical changes in emerging countries, only in recent decade’s hasreal estate boom beena notable feature in GCC. Thanks to invitinginvestment policies and state support, international investors are reshaping GCC real estate landscape and moving in from world destinations long known for innovation and leadership in real estate and infrastructure development. Undeniably, Dubai stands out as an exceptional example of excellent innovation in urban development. Unsurprisingly, as well, Dubai is becoming a globaldesignation for commerce, entertainment and shopping (Bagaeen, 2007). One feat of architectural design in Dubai, for example, is BurjKhalifa. The feat is not only attributed to BurjKhalifa's innovative design but also for a number of world-breaking records (BurjKhalifa, n.d.). Indeed, real estate and infrastructure further emphasizeunprecedented developments in Middle Eastat faster pace.
In conclusion, education, sports, real estate, and infrastructure developments in Middle East mark radical changes in a region long known for stagnation and underdevelopment. The case for change has been aproblematic for Middle East people. However, recent developments emphasize change is inevitable. Major challenges lingering stillin all areas in question, recent developments are promising of broader political, economic, and social changes region wide.
References
2022 FIFA World Cup QatarTM.(n.d.). In FIFA®. Retrieved from http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/qatar2022/
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Matsuka, N. (2010). The Development of Women’s Football in Morocco.In Sports and the Middle East.Viewpoints, 12, 35-37. Retrieved from http://www.mei.edu/sites/default/files/publications/Sports%20in%20ME.pdf
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