9 votes

Why India doesn’t build skyscrapers

6 comments

  1. [6]
    mihaitodor
    Link
    Is it just me or this material sounds a bit one-sided? Living in Dublin, Ireland, I somehow feel that maybe building skyscrapers in each large city isn't a must. Maybe now even less so with all...

    Is it just me or this material sounds a bit one-sided? Living in Dublin, Ireland, I somehow feel that maybe building skyscrapers in each large city isn't a must. Maybe now even less so with all the remote work. Then again, I don't know much about this topic, so it's just a gut feeling.

    1 vote
    1. [2]
      papasquat
      Link Parent
      Skyscrapers virtually never make sense. They're insanely overpriced for the population density you get and require a ton of considerations that normal midrises don't. They basically only exist as...

      Skyscrapers virtually never make sense. They're insanely overpriced for the population density you get and require a ton of considerations that normal midrises don't. They basically only exist as ego projects for rich people except for extremely specific situations with very, very unique land characteristics. (ridiculously limited land caused by political boundaries in an extremely prosperous city-state with very, very high real estate demand. Singapore is literally the only instance I can think of).

      There's a really good reason why for the past 30 years or so, the places with the tallest skyscrapers in the world are mostly places with authoritarian dictators who's primary concern is stroking their egos and legacy building rather than any semblance of economic viability or actual value generation.

      2 votes
      1. FlippantGod
        Link Parent
        Is there not a significant economic difference between skyscrapers and supertall skyscrapers? I'm confident standard skyscrapers can make sense.

        Is there not a significant economic difference between skyscrapers and supertall skyscrapers? I'm confident standard skyscrapers can make sense.

        3 votes
    2. [3]
      FlippantGod
      Link Parent
      I do agree, although the population density and growth of India makes for very different circumstances.

      I do agree, although the population density and growth of India makes for very different circumstances.

      1. [2]
        mihaitodor
        Link Parent
        Of course, I wasn't trying to compare the countries, just saying that I'm living in a somewhat large city where skyscrapers aren't a thing and it's not due to a lack of money, I think.

        Of course, I wasn't trying to compare the countries, just saying that I'm living in a somewhat large city where skyscrapers aren't a thing and it's not due to a lack of money, I think.

        1 vote
        1. cfabbro
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          It may not be about money in Ireland, but that's not really what's preventing Skyscrapers in India either. As the video said, infrastructure issues are a factor, but height restrictions are likely...

          It may not be about money in Ireland, but that's not really what's preventing Skyscrapers in India either. As the video said, infrastructure issues are a factor, but height restrictions are likely the main reasons why. And it looks like Dublin actually does have similar (albeit not quite as strict) height restrictions too. See:

          https://www.dublincity.ie/dublin-city-development-plan-2016-2022/4-shape-and-structure-city/45-policies-and-objectives/4541-approach-taller-buildings

          3 votes