Comparative Study

1) Explain the spatial distribution of Dubai.

Dubai has a total area of 4,114km2, wherein the buildings within the city lie close together.

2) The over construction of buildings along the coast has impacted negatively on the
shoreline, by interfering with sand dunes. This prevents the fortification of the
beach and makes it more susceptible to waves and longshore drift.

In addition to this, the construction of the artificial islands has negatively impacted on the
coast. There is evidence that these are eroding, causing further damage to the coast.

3) Using the images, explain the processes and influences that have formed and
transformed Dubai’s coastline.

In the attached pictures, we can clearly see that the coastline of Dubai has changed,
becoming narrower as each year goes by. The processes that influence this include erosion,
longshore drift and damaging storm waves. These all cause sand from the coastline to be
removed, travelling along the coast or into the ocean. The effect of this is a thinner
coastline and decreased quality of the beach.
 4) Read the article and outline two management strategies used to protect Dubai’s
coastline and assess their usefulness.

Beach nourishment has been undertaken across the beach at Dubai, with over 500,000 cubic
meters of sand being introduced to the coast.

In addition to this, seawalls have been used to fortify the coast, protecting it against
storms.