High-Tech Skyscraper Additions

An array of new high-tech solutions to escape from high rises are on the market.

1 minute read

October 27, 2001, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Another evacuation contraption called the Baker Life Chute has already been installed at several air-traffic control towers and high-rise buildings as tall as 18 stories. The user climbs feet first through a metal ring on the end of what looks like a long white stocking, and slides down to safety. The chute comes in a bundle that can be hitched to the roof and thrown over the side.The manufacturer, Baker Safety Equipment, claims the chute is able to sustain a constant stream of up to 30 human beings."

Thanks to Design Architecture

Thursday, October 25, 2001 in The Christian Science Monitor

portrait of professional woman

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Close-up of person putting sticker on back of basket of electric tricycle with mock license plate reading "E-TRIKE."

Bicycles and Books — In Sacramento, Libraries Now Offer Both

Adult library card holders can check out e-bikes and e-trikes for up to one week.

45 minutes ago - The Sacramento Bee

Large pile of unsorted garbage in landfill with birds flying above at sunrise or sunset.

Colorado Landfills Emit as Much Pollution as 1M Cars

Landfills are the third-largest source of methane pollution in Colorado, after agriculture and fossil fuel extraction.

1 hour ago - Colorado Newsline

Three young people sitting at a table at outdoor restaurant, one has Apple laptop open.

Tulsa Paid Remote Workers $10,000 to Move In — Nearly All of Them Stayed

The Tulsa Remote program generated more than $4 in local economic benefits for every dollar spent.

2 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.