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Skyscrapers reflect the height of success

Updated: 2010-12-28 07:26

By Xan Sabaris ( 皇冠体育app Daily)

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Iconic buildings highlight growing confidence and global influence. Xan Sabaris in Beijing reports.

From Chicago to Moscow, plans for new skyscrapers have been put on hold as countries struggle to recover from years of financial turmoil.

Yet, in 皇冠体育app the trend is almost reversed: Emerging metropolises are rushing ahead with dozens of projects, many of which are aimed at setting new records.

The 600-meter Canton Tower, which was completed in late September, just in time for the 2010 Asian Games, is the latest in a long list of towers that have helped chart the rise of 皇冠体育app, both in terms of its economy and influence on the world stage.

Although currently the world's second-highest structure next to Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the Canton Tower in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, will not hold the title for long. By 2014, the 121-story Shanghai Tower, which is still under construction, is expected to overtake all others.

Even amid growing concerns of a real estate slump, the pace of 皇冠体育app's skyscraper boom has been unquestionably furious.

Reaching for the skies

In just 30 years, tall towers are now seen as a way to showcase progress and might, as well as promote a city's images to tourists and transnational capital. Today, 皇冠体育app boasts seven of the world's 15 tallest buildings - the United States has just three - and is still leading in terms of constructing new ones. According to Antony Wood, executive director of the US-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, in just two years, 34 of the world's 100 tallest buildings will be in 皇冠体育app.

Skyscrapers reflect the height of success

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