Jaunted

Public opinion in many places seems to agree with the experts' contention that modern skyscrapers are ugly. The Spiegel article cites European architects who see a positive side to the poor economy because it will allow the continent to preserve it's "enduring cityscapes."

Similarly in New York, Frank Gehry's $4 billion Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn is stalling thank to money troubles, which must be a relief to the area residents who have protested the plan since it's inception. Another major New York landmark, the proposed Freedom Tower, is also way behind schedule, but it's not like those designs have been highly anticipated by the locals.

The distaste for new developments among Western architects may be bitter posturing. It's easy to dismiss modern skyscrapers when you can't afford to build any. On the other hand, it's not hard to see why some of these buildings are said to be in questionable taste. The futuristic glossy towers do have a certain homogeneous and sanitized quality to them. That might have something to do with the fact that, as Spiegel points out:

One of the most ironic aspects of this development is that, in many cases, it is the West's leading architects who are driving the transition.

In other words, the lack of variety in the skyscraper boom may be a result of the fact that it's driven by a small clique of influential architects and their imitators. A poor economy is nothing to be happy about, but it's clear that local character can be a casualty of a construction boom. If you can't afford to travel this summer, at least you can hope that things will still be the same in Paris or New York by the time you get there.

Related Stories:
· Battle of the Skyscrapers [Der Spiegel, via]
· Architecture coverage [Jaunted]

[Photos, left to right: "Sliced Porosity Block," Chengdu, China; Burj Dubai; Crystal Island, Moscow]

Where: United States

Tags: Skyscrapers / Architecture / Buildings / Dubai Travel

by Hunter Walker