The weather conditions quoted are quite usual for Dubai. As far as wind direction is concerned, you can almost set your watch by the change from Easterlies to Westerlies.
Built-up area, I think it slightly disingenuous to highlight the issue for reasons previously given and the fact that Dubai's runways are over 4000m in length; it is a big bit of real-estate. Furthermore, unlike lots of other countries, they are investing in the 6-runway mega airport at Dubai World.