Skyscraper Construction Continues Record Breaking Pace

The new record for skyscrapers built in a year brakes the record set by the previous year. The record is expected to be set again next year.

1 minute read

January 24, 2016, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Dezeen shares news from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat's (CTBUH) annual report on tall building construction. The news in skyscrapers is big: "A record-breaking total of 106 skyscrapers over 200 metres tall were completed in 2015, and even more are predicted for 2016," according to the report.

The previous record was 97 in 2014—and the recent building spree brings the worldwide total of skyscrapers to 1,040. The new total marks a "392 per cent increase from 2000, when the total was just 265."

The article shares a few of the key infographics from the report, and provides another fact from the report to provide context for what's described as a skyscraper surge: "As in previous years, Asia continues to dominate the list, particularly China. Excluding the Middle East, 81 of the year's 106 skyscrapers were located in Asia, 76 per cent of the total."

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 in Dezeen

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!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

"Units for sale - contact your local realtor" sign in front of homes.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods

A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

May 19 - Next City

Turquoise blue Pyramid Lake near Reno, Nevada.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan

A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.

May 19 - Inside Climate News

Alpine Recreation Center sign in park in Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA.

More Than a Park: A Safe Haven for Generations in LA’s Chinatown

Alpine Recreation Center serves as a vital cultural and community hub in Los Angeles' Chinatown, offering a safe, welcoming space for generations of Chinese American residents to gather, connect, and thrive amidst rapid urban change.

May 19 - American Community Media

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.