Dubai residents happy but want rents down

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai wants to know if you are happy in Dubai or not.
Residents were sent SMS on Monday asking them if they thought Dubai was a happy city. They were given a choice to vote through an app launched by the Dubai Police by clicking on a sad smiley, a neutral one or a happy one.
On Sunday, Dubai Police launched the app at Gitex, the technology week event that will continue until October 22. The app was launched by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and is a new smart initiative to measure the level of general happiness of the citizens and residents, moment by moment through the smart application.
Khaleej Times readers had a mixed response to the initiative. Though happy to be given a voice, most said they were worried about the high rents and high expenses of staying in the city.
A reader Dolly Bhatia said: We are happy .....but want some changes. ..like low house rent." Another reader Gaurav Singh wrote, "Rent is high salary is low ..." Another reader Lorna Mueller-Koellmer said: "Sure..I like to live there ..only we cannot afford.. so expensive. Saba Sohail summed it up saying, "We r happy Alhumdulillah but will be more happy when school fees, medical and rent will decrease or salary increase then we can make some saving for our kids future ...(sic).
Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police said that the 'Happy City' initiative is part of the Dubai government's strategy to bring happiness to people. He said it has been launched as an indicator to measure happiness and satisfaction with government services provided to them. "This indicator will monitor the general feelings of the people which is an essential pillar of the evolution and development of the communities," he said.
Lorna Mueller-Koellmer wrote, "Sure..I like to live there ..only we cannot afford.. so expensive."
According to the initiative, Dubai Police will send text messages on mobile phones for residents and as soon as the recipients access the application, they will be given the choice to voice their opinion. However, a person can only vote once.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
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