Skyscrapers thread: why doesn't europe have many of those?

[Az]

It's been a long time since we have had a thread about skyscrapers. the last time was probably the new WTC plans. Some time ago, I stumbled upon a very good site about TelAviv, which included plans for future skyscrapers, as well as the ones already existing.

This made me look some more into it. It seems that all over the ME, plenty of magnificent skyscraper buildings are being built, In Israel, Lebanon, SA, and the Emirates. OTOH, in Europe, the Tallest skyscraper ( not TV tower! ), is IIRC Canada One. And even Israel has skyscrapers higher than that . ( Ramat Gan's City Gate, for example. 67-story building ). Now you could try and explain it by presenting Israel's lack of territory that pushes land values higher, which will cause skyscrapers to be built. But Extremely tall skyscrapers are being built in the US, and Canada, too. And I don't think there's a lack of building space in Alberta. .

Also, land values in European cities can get rather outrageous too. So, what's the problem? What's stopping skyscrapers from popping out like mushrooms after rain?

This is the main question. I would also greatly appreciate if you'd post pics of Skyscrapers from your home cities, or cities that you really like.

[TheStinger]

They are about to build quite a few in London, I think Manchester and Birmingham are to get them too

[DaShi]

Europe still believes that the Earth is surrounded by a corona of fire.

[Az]

Stinger: can you find some pics of those future plans?

DaShi: how would that interrupt them from building skysrapers?



Here's a plan for a TA building that's planned to be started in 05' and finished around 09'-10'. It's planned to have 81 floors.

[Bereta_Eder]

Because they're ugly.

[TheStinger]

Originally posted by Azazel
Stinger: can you find some pics of those future plans?

Nah I'm too lazy

[TheStinger]

That didn't take long

http://www.aztec-city.com/future.htm

[Urban Ranger]

Why would anybody want to build skyscrappers though? They are so passe.

[Menlas]

Originally posted by paiktis22
Because they're ugly.

Someone said it before me

[DanS]

Skyscrapers are great! They can be ugly, but they can also be powerful and graceful at the same time.

Europe does have some skyscrapers. But by and large the zoning seems to discourage them, they are pushed to the suburbs, people are unwilling to tear down existing downtown structures, etc.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Menlas


Someone said it before me

Yep, ugly

[Az]

Skyscrapers are great! They can be ugly, but they can also be powerful and graceful at the same time.

Exactly. And in any case, different strokes for different folks.

Stinger: most of that site is Red 'X's . but what I did see is great.


DanS: indeed this seems to be an issue. But you can do it in a way similar to Paris.

[August Borms]

In Antwerp we have Europe's first skyscraper, built in 1930-32 IIRC, the Boerentoren:



A few pics from Brussels:


Belgacom tower:




The Belgacom tower is located in a boulevard in Brussels-North full of skyscrapers, which looks pretty nice (except at night when there is an of average 1 hooker per 2m²) Too bad that the rest of Brussels is hideously ugly, except for another street full of modern buildings.

Tour du midi:

[DanS]

indeed this seems to be an issue. But you can do it in a way similar to Paris.

Just as I said. They are pushed to the suburbs.

[Az]

August: do you get a nice skyline, i.e. you could make a pic with all the skyscrapers together, like that pic of mine of Paris?