Tall Buildings

An aerial view down the length of the Jeddah coastline in Saudi Arabia, showing coastal developments, beaches, and a few high-rise buildings along the shoreline.

Skyscraper Watch: Where the Tallest Buildings Are Under Construction

Of the 25 tallest buildings currently under construction around the world, only one is foun in the United States. The vast majority are in China.

April 19, 2022 - ArchDaily

Atlanta, Georgia, Downtown, Skyline, Dusk

Tallest Skyscraper in 30 Years Proposed in Midtown Atlanta

If approved, a 61-story tower would be the tallest built in Atlanta in three decades.

November 11, 2021 - Urbanize Atlanta

One World Trade Center

20 Years After 9/11: The 'Age of Skyscrapers' Is Nowhere Near Over

Despite predictions that the events of September 11, 2001 would be the end of skyscrapers, U.S. cities are building more tall buildings than ever.

September 12, 2021 - San Francisco Chronicle

Tall buildings in Downtown Phoenix.

Arizona's Tallest Building Will Soon Be Vacant

The tallest building in the Grand Canyon State will enter a new era.

July 21, 2021 - KJZZ

Willis Tower and John Hancock

The 50 Most Influential Tall Buildings of the Last 50 Years

Sure to stir controversy, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has compiled a list of the 50 most influential tall buildings of the last 50 years.

October 31, 2019 - Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

Los Angeles Skyline

Tall Building Construction Continues to Smash Records and Redefine Skylines

There are 402 percent more tall buildings in the world than there was in 2000.

December 19, 2017 - Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

London Skyline

London's Tallest Buildings Currently Under Construction

In a growing London, skyscrapers seem to be popping up everywhere, We Plan London catalogs the ten tallest.

February 8, 2017 - We Plan London

Mehaffy Portland Image

Has Portland Lost its Way?

Oregon's poster child for livable planning is embroiled in new controversies over destructive growth, skyrocketing prices, and back-room cronyism.

May 25, 2016 - Michael Mehaffy

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.

January 24, 2016 - Dezeen

Report: 2014 the 'Tallest Year Ever' for New Skyscrapers

The heights of the building envelope saw unprecedented expansion in 2014.

January 13, 2015 - Dezeen

London Skyline

The Dangers of Building Too Tall

An article by Steven Snell summarizes the drawbacks of building vertical cities.

August 9, 2014 - Fast Forward Weekly

Do Tall Cities Require the Regulation of Sunlight?

Planners, lawyers and homeowners have been arguing the question of "solar rights" for two millennia. A recent article presents a primer on the historic and contemporary importance of the debate.

April 29, 2014 - Salon

As Tall Tower Trend Goes Global, Africa Aims High

As the planet slowly emerges from the global recession, skyscraper construction is surging once again. One area seeking skyline augmentation is a continent that has heretofore shied away from the height race: Africa.

July 17, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Toronto Curates its Skyline With Tall Building Design Guidelines

An update to Toronto's Tall Building Design Guidelines seeks to address problems with the seven-year-old planning document, while strengthening the protections afforded historic properties, key sightlines, and local context.

May 29, 2013 - The Toronto Star

Reviewing a Smaller Year in Taller Buildings

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has released its annual report on the state of skyscraper construction. Worldwide, 2012 witnessed the completion of 66 buildings taller than 200 meters, including the second tallest in the world.

January 13, 2013 - The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Studies

Can Elevator Innovation Keep Up With Developers' Mile High Ambitions?

Elevator technology developed in the 19th century made the advent of skyscrapers possible. Now that skyscraper construction is rebounding after the recession, can vertical transport systems keep up with developers' and designers' lofty visions?

January 4, 2013 - Bloomberg

After the Shard, London's Skyline Gets Shafted

"There is no nice way of putting this, but the skyline of London is being screwed," says Guardian architecture critic Rowan Moore. In an approvals process that runs roughshod over the concerns of the public, only developer egos are being served.

December 3, 2012 - The Guardian

Europe's Tallest Tower Tops Out in Moscow

Mere months after it was completed, London's Shard has passed the title of Europe's tallest building to Moscow's Mercury City tower, a "beacon of pink mirrored glass," writes Oliver Wainwright.

November 19, 2012 - The Guardian

Best Towers of 2012 Recognized

It seems a bit early in the year to be bestowing "best of" honors, but that hasn't stopped the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) from naming their best tall buildings of 2012. These towers are certainly worth paying attention to.

June 18, 2012 - Business Insider

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.