High-Rise Buildings

A large, four-story apartment building is surrounded by grass and concrete walkways.

The Dividing Line Between Good and Bad Density

Not all density is good, according to the participants at recent event hosted by the Congress for the New Urbanism’s District of Columbia chapter, and examples of new developments cross the line all over the world.

April 19, 2023 - Public Square: A CNU Journal

A view of the Boise skyline, across tress int he foreground. The state capitol is visible amongst other office buildings.

Skyline-Defining High-Rise Potentially Coming to Boise

A rendering making the rounds in Boise depicts a 40-story apartment building that would be taller than all other buildings in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

March 20, 2023 - Boise Dev

Aerial view at dusk of downtown Austin, Texas with river in foreground

Austin’s Changing Skyline

Multiple proposed skyscrapers are changing the shape of once low-slung downtown Austin, signaling the growth of the city as a technology and manufacturing hub.

January 19, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

View of Vancouver House skycraper under construction with two cranes at top and other downtown Vancouver buildings surrounding it against a grey sky

Vancouver’s Spiral High-Rise Creatively Skirts Zoning Rules

To meet zoning constraints, the twisting skyscraper uses an innovative design that optimizes its small footprint.

January 12, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

A conceptual rendering of a large development including two high-rises and several smaller buildings.

Skyline-Shifting Development Approved in Los Angeles

The Downtown Los Angeles-adjacent neighborhood of Echo Park is set to get its first towers—including one new building reaching 49 stories.

July 8, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

The mangled remains of a residential tower after it collapsed in Florida.

The Problem With Miami Beach's High-Rises

Last year's Miami Beach condo collapse could portend more tragedy to come if developers don't address the risks of aging buildings and climate change.

February 7, 2022 - The New York Times

Pigeons on the Empire State Building, New York City, USA.

Saving Birds By Design

Reflective glass high-rises kill millions of birds each year, but bird-friendly design can save birds and reduce energy consumption.

January 6, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Orenco Station

Opinion: Upzoning Isn't Just for Major Streets

The practice of limiting high-density development to busy arterial streets puts renters and low-income households at higher risk for the effects of air and noise pollution created on major roads.

December 15, 2021 - Slate

An image of the Raleigh skyline, with older residential buildings in the foreground and taller commercial buildings in the background.

Study: Low-Rise Density Is Better for the Climate

New research analyzing carbon emissions throughout the life cycle of buildings shows that high-rises create more carbon emissions than dense, low-rise developments.

November 9, 2021 - The Conversation

San Francisco Street

Opinion: High-Rises Won't Sink San Francisco

The weight of large buildings may not be a major threat to coastal cities, despite recent claims.

March 16, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

111 West 57th St

Regulations on 'Mechanical Voids' in Luxury Residential Towers Coming Soon to NYC

The city is responding to controversies surrounding building practices that boost heights of luxury residential towers, while leaving big sections of the buildings empty.

January 24, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

Observation Deck

10 Great Places to Get High—As in Views of the City

Every U.S. city has high rises, but not all are created for tourists looking for great views. An L.A. County planner describes ten of his favorite towers for lofty views.

April 27, 2018 - UrbDeZine

Downtown Oakland

Proposed Development Could Redefine Height in the East Bay Area

The Easy Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area isn't known for skyscrapers, with none of its high-rise buildings topping 25 stories. A newly proposed development could change that.

November 4, 2017 - The Mercury News

Downtown Philadelphia

Cracking Found in Frame of Philadelphia's Comcast Technology Center Tower

The soon-to-be tallest building in the nation not located in New York City of Chicago has a structural issue that required a pause on construction. The issue is not expected to be catastrophic, however.

August 23, 2017 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Housing Construction

Fire Safety Testing Paves the Way for Timber Towers

A new kind of building will soon rise in the United States: the wooden tower. Extensive testing by the US Department of Agriculture and the timber industry will soon make timber viable for high-rise tower construction.

November 28, 2016 - Doggerel

Fall Sprawl

If Housing Affordability Is Top Concern, Let Metro Regions Sprawl

Research from BuildZoom, a San Francisco-based contractors' website, shows that housing affordability increases with a region's ability to build outwards, as opposed to upwards. Densification largely has not accompanied efforts to curb sprawl.

September 16, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Details of Chicago's Vista Tower—Soon to Be the Tallest Building Designed by a Woman

The Vista Tower is expected for completion in 2020, when it will become the world's tallest tower designed by a woman.

February 26, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Brooklyn's Tallest Proposed Building Has Date With Landmarks Preservation Commission

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the 1,066-foot building is what distinguishes it from other high rises of its size across the East River—it will be residential.

February 22, 2016 - The New York Times

The Sun Also Hides Behind Skyscrapers

The Washington Post details the concern over the shadows cast by skyscrapers on the city street below. The latest high-profile case study of the ability of skyscrapers to block the sun: New York's Midtown.

May 5, 2015 - The Washington Post

Studio Gang-Designed Tower Proposal Shows Need for Zoning Exceptions in San Francisco

The initial presentation of a 40-story tower, designed by Chicago architect Jeanne Gang, working for developer Tishman Speyer, prompted John King to argue in favor of the project. But will city planners and electeds grant the project an exception?

July 17, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.