The Excess of Dubai

The iconic structures of Dubai include the world's biggest mall, tallest skyscraper, second-tallest hotel, an indoor ski hill, palm-shaped islands crowded with McMansions (some of which may be sinking); a 1500+ room hotel -- the pyrotechnics for its opening alone cost $16 million; and a series of artificial islands shaped like a map of the world. As the city-state's debts have skyrocketed, most outstanding developments have either been scaled back or halted.

For a more in-depth look at Dubai, see the recent Planetizen feature Super-Charged and Stalled Out: The Urban Planning Laboratory of Dubai.