Cities in the Sky: The Quest to Build the World's Tallest Skyscrapers

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From one of the worlds top experts on the economics of skyscrapersa fascinating (Daily Mail, London) and informative (Publishers Weekly) account of the ever-growing quest for super tall buildings across the globe.

The worlds skyscrapers have brought us awe and wonder, and yet they remain controversialfor their high costs, shadows, and overt grandiosity. But, decade by decade, they keep getting higher and higher. What is driving this global building spree of epic proportions In Cities in the Sky, author Jason Barr provides an enjoyable, expansive study of a subject he loves (Kirkus Reviews), explaining why they appeal to cities and nations, how they get financed, why they succeed economically, and how they change a citys skyline and enable the worlds greatest metropolises to thrive in the 21st century.

From the Empire State Building (1,250 feet) to the Shanghai Tower (2,073 feet) and everywhere in between, Barr explains the unique architectural and engineering efforts that led to the creation of each structure. Along the way, he visits and unpacks some surprising myths about the earliest skyscrapers and the growth of American skylines after World War II, which incorporated a new suite of technologies that spread to the rest of the world in the 1990s. Barr also explores why London banned skyscrapers at the end of the 19th century but then embraced them in the 21st and explains how Hong Kong created the densest cluster of skyscrapers on the planet. Also covered is the dramatic result of Chinas skyscraper fever and then on to the Arabian Peninsula to see what drove Dubai to build the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which at 2,717 feet, is higher than the new One World Trade Center in New York by three football fields.

Filled with fascinating details for urbanists, architecture buffs, and urban design enthusiasts alike, Cities in the Sky masterfully weaves together the history, myths, economics, and engineering behind the most iconic structures across the worlds skylines to showcase the ambition, ingenuity, and vision that encourage us to build higher and bolder (Grady Hillhouse, creator of Practical Engineering).

Reviews

Barr examines to great effect the dictum all real estate is local, exploring the allure of skyscrapers and the global race to boast the worlds tallest towers in cities from London to Dubai to Shenzhen, China. . . . a welcome addition to the rich canon of books on the topic."Wall Street Journal
"Each time crossing over the Bandra-Worli Sea link, my eyes get locked in to admire Mumbais skyline of towers, wrapped in glass . . . Jason Barrs new book Cities in the Sky makes them come alive with the personalities and constraints of the people who build and use them."Business Standard
"Fascinating."Daily Mail
With a global view and his eyes cast skyward, Barr provides an enjoyable, expansive study of a subject he loves. Kirkus Reviews
Informative . . . for architecture buffs, Barrs meticulous research is worth checking out.Publishers Weekly
"Compelling . . . Barr's book, a result of extensive research, is both entertaining and educational, dissecting concepts like the 'bedrock myth' and the 'status effect.' Most importantly, it articulates the enduring significance of skyscrapers in cities, making it a valuable read for anyone keen to understand the dynamics behind our city skylines." Stefan Al, author ofSupertall: How the World's Tallest Buildings Are Reshaping Our Cities and Our Lives
"Acaptivating exploration of skyscrapers,filled with insiderstories of how such buildings came tobe and what their future might hold. . . . Barr masterfully weaves together the history, myths, economics, and engineering behind the most iconic structures across the world's skylines.More than just a history lesson,Cities in the Skyis about the ambition, ingenuity, and vision that encourage us to build higher and bolder." Grady Hillhouse, creatorof Practical Engineering and author ofEngineering in Plain Sight
"Jason M. Barr deftly walks the reader through the development of the skyscraperfrom 1880s Chicago to present day Asiaand the issues that either prevented or made possible their heavens-aspiring construction. Barr's easy-going, conversational writing style makes his discussion of topics like engineering, community impact, and his vision of future cities as engaging to the layman as it is to the urban planner, economist, engineer and architect. Cities in the Sky is a fascinating and informative read."Tom Miller, author ofSeeking New York: The Stories Behind the Historic Architecture of ManhattanOne Building at a Time

Author Bio

Jason M. Barr is a professor of economics at Rutgers University-Newark. One of the worlds foremost experts on the economics of skyscrapers, he is the author ofBuilding the Skyline: The Birth and Growth of Manhattan Skyscrapersand has had his research featured inTheNew York Times,TheWashington Post,TheEconomist,Curbed, andArchitectural Record. A Long Island native, Barr received his BA from Cornell University, his MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston, and his PhD from Columbia University. He has also taught at Dartmouth College and Columbia University. His writing has appeared inTheNew York Times, StarTrek.com, Dezeen.com,Scientific American, andIrish Independent. He currently writes a blog about skyscrapers, cities, and economics. His favorite skyscraper is the Empire State Building.