Before the discovery of oil, the economy of the country was poor, primitive, and simple. It depended mainly on sheep herding and pearl collection. It could be described as “the pearl era” as opposed to “the oil era.” Besides pearl catching there were other minor sources of income such as fishing, trading, farming, and sheep keeping. The inhabitants were mainly belonging to one of the following groups: Bedouins, or Settlers. The social system was tribal similar to social systems found in the rest of the Gulf area. Their work ranged from fishing to farming to hunting to sheep raising. Bedouins depended on sheep raising moving from one place to another searching for water and resources. Some tribes were settlers such as Al Awamer and Al Manaseer who settled in the area of Abu Dhabi. Al Naim tribe lived in the desert area. During their travel, the Bedouins used to take their belongings and animals with them. The settlers were mainly fishermen. They also worked in pearl trading, and farming near the coastal areas. The farmers settled in villages by the desert oasis, such as Al Ain villages.

After the discovery of oil, the economy changed dramatically. Oil became the major source of income for the country. The introduction of modern technology accompanying oil excavations and fast exchange with the rest of the world made the means of modern life available to the citizens. With the construction of oil fields, oil companies provided settlements for their workers and families. Following the production of oil with large amounts, the UAE became one of the large oil exporting countries of the world. During the Seventies, the economy of the country was booming and other economic activities were also flourishing including fishing, farming and trading.

After long years of poverty and despair, the citizens of the United Arab Emirates were eager to have all the luxuries of modern life enjoyed by other countries. During the last twenty years, social, cultural and economic changes occurred very rapidly in ways never known to the citizens before. Local and central government offices were established in all the Emirates providing good work conditions and incentives for the citizens. It became every citizen’s objective to find an appropriate governmental or administrative job. The government provided free education, health care and housing for the citizens.

All these changes could not have happened without an impact on architecture. The economic prosphad a large impact on the construction industry. New buildings and houses were constructed using advanced construction and finishing materials imported from abroad imitating the style of architecture found in other parts of the world. New building types, such as office buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, schools, and hotels were built. The construction industry was booming because of easily acquired loans and guarantees provided for the citizens. All types of buildings with numerous styles appeared in the urban landscape. People abandoned the countryside and migrated to cities in an effort to achieve a stable monthly income and better living conditions.

Bedouins

The settling of the Bedouins project was considered an important social goal for the government. Bedouin settlprojects were constructed near the original migration routes or near existing settlements and villages. Concrete houses provided with electricity, sanitary, water, health centers, schools, shops, and other services were given to the Bedouins in order to encourage them to settle down. One of the problems of the settling projects of the Bedouins was their locations. The settlements were spread apart in small groups of houses imitating the pattern of Bedouin’s life, satisfying the wishes of the groups and related to their social relationships. The Bedouin youth joined the army and worked in governmental offices, where monthly income was high and guaranteed.

Farmers

Farmers were given sheep and animals to raise. Social welfare was provided to the elderly and whoever needed it. New buildings were constructed as well as infrastructure, road systems, and all other public services. The government encouraged farming activities and many desert areas were transformed into farms in a very short period of time. Vegetable and animal farms were developed providing many types of food for the national market.

The government also encouraged fishing, a traditional activity. Fishermen were encouraged to keep this traditional activity and were provided with modern fishing boats and equipment. Fishing became an important source of income for many families.

Trading became an important part of the economy. Many large ports (e.g., Mina Zayed at Abu Dhabi, Gabal Ali and Rashed near Dubai) were constructed to facilitate trading with other parts of the world. The UAE, especially Dubai, became an important international trading center. The rapid growth of trading and industrial activities required more work force of labors and employees.

Foreign work force was also invited to participate in the development process of the country. The economic prosperity and the need for workforce attracted large number foreign workers to work in the country. The ratio between citizens and foreigners has reached 20% to 80% in recent years which paused dangerous demographic problem to the government. All foreign workers are coming to the UAE looking for living conditions better than what they have in their home countries. Large number of foreign workers are illegal migrants and they live in very poor standards of living. Large number of single foreign workers lives in slums close to industrial areas while others crowd in small apartments and houses.