The Impact Of Terrorism On Urban Form

What are the structural and arhictectural implications of the World Trade Center attack on the future of the world's cities?

1 minute read

September 17, 2001, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Building high has never been a simple case of hubris. Ever-rising land prices encourage us to reach, however unpredictably, further upwards. In the case of New York, Hong Kong or Tokyo, there is only a given amount of land to build on. Just as steam rises through the safety valves of a boiler at a certain pressure, so eventually city buildings must begin their ascent above the classical skyline. But, anticipating earthquake, fire or terrorist attack, should we be thinking of dispersing commercial centres?

Thanks to The Practice of New Urbanism

Sunday, September 16, 2001 in The Guardian Unlimited

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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