It seems that UAE is literally nothing but high rises or skyscrapers (basically the same with Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia or Qatar) while Oman has none of that (since most of the infrastructure is marble white or using bright colors contrasting the sun), though they’re on an even playing field when speaking about their wealth. Is it because Oman has a different approach on how they spend their money or retain cultural heritage?
I think it’s down to the fact that small places like - and are more able to - concentrate money on being showy, whereas if a country becomes larger it becomes harder to manage money or concentrate spending. For instance if Oman decides it wants to make its capital fancy, that’s leaving the other cities behind and there might be outcry from them; the UAE however is only about 5 towns in a close area.
The UAE does have 1 or 2 more antique cities east of Dubai, and someone claimed to me that they’re “Much nicer” on account of being left as historical relics. I think it’s subjective, but i’m guessing they’re less car dependent.
I don’t have a source but i think some of it might also just be leadership philosophy. Oman may be committed to not being extravagant with wealth and being more traditional than their northern peers.
Doesn’t Oman also have less access to oil than the teeny-tiny places, or am I imagining that?