View of part of the Fujairah Corniche and the Hajar Mountains in the Background

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Greatest Visual Pollution in the UAE

Coming from Dubai or Abu Dhabi on the Sharjah–Al Dhaid Road travellers come across what must be the ugliest sight on a stretch of road in the UAE.

You pass the Sharjah Scout Camp on the left and approach an Industrial building with pylons in front of it before reaching a blue sign saying, “Batayah, Al Fujairah, Khor Fakkan” and a sign to the new highway that goes east saying, ‘Central and Eastern Region’.

It is important for the power to get through but there has been no attempt to set the pylons back from the main highway or do it in such a way that appeals to one’s aesthetic tastes.

This looks ugly (pictured) but if beauty is in the eye of the beholder some might find the lines and patterns to be particularly appealing.

Is this the greatest visual pollution in the Emirates or what other sight would get your vote?

Dr Geoff Pound

Image: “Travellers come across what must be the ugliest sight on a stretch of road in the UAE.”