Laavanya Kathiravelu is Assistant Professor in the Division of Sociology at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She is also a Fung Fellow at Princeton University, USA, in 2015/16. Her research sits at the intersection of international migration and contemporary diverse cities, especially in the Global South.

• 1. Introduction: Situating Dubai 2. Dubai as Metaphor. Corporate Entity, Global City, Hope and Mirage 3. Migrants and the State. Structures of violence, co-ethnic exploitation and the transnationalisation of rights 4. Neoliberal Narratives. Migrant self-constructions and the performance of empowered subjectivities 5. The Divided City. Gated communities, everyday mobilities and public space 6. Social Networks. Informal solidarities and an ethic of 'care' 7. Conclusion

Laavanya Kathiravelu is Assistant Professor in the Division of Sociology at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She is also a Fung Fellow at Princeton University, USA, in 2015/16. Her research sits at the intersection of international migration and contemporary diverse cities, especially in the Global South.

• 1. Introduction: Situating Dubai 2. Dubai as Metaphor. Corporate Entity, Global City, Hope and Mirage 3. Migrants and the State. Structures of violence, co-ethnic exploitation and the transnationalisation of rights 4. Neoliberal Narratives. Migrant self-constructions and the performance of empowered subjectivities 5. The Divided City. Gated communities, everyday mobilities and public space 6. Social Networks. Informal solidarities and an ethic of 'care' 7. Conclusion

Laavanya Kathiravelu is Assistant Professor in the Division of Sociology at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She is also a Fung Fellow at Princeton University, USA, in 2015/16. Her research sits at the intersection of international migration and contemporary diverse cities, especially in the Global South.

• 1. Introduction: Situating Dubai 2. Dubai as Metaphor. Corporate Entity, Global City, Hope and Mirage 3. Migrants and the State. Structures of violence, co-ethnic exploitation and the transnationalisation of rights 4. Neoliberal Narratives. Migrant self-constructions and the performance of empowered subjectivities 5. The Divided City. Gated communities, everyday mobilities and public space 6. Social Networks. Informal solidarities and an ethic of 'care' 7. Conclusion