Superskyscraper

Since modern skyscrapers appeared in the middle of 19th century, North America had had a monopoly on this power. In fact, in the year of 1980, all of the top 20 tallest buildings were in the U.S or in Canada. But the tide has completely shifted. Now 8 out of the top 10 are in Asia--- the current highest building is Taipei 101 (Taiwan, 509m), followed by the Petronas Tower (Malaysia, 452m), the Sears Tower (U.S., 442m) and the Jin Mao Tower (China, 421m). Asian countries such as Malaysia and China has two big reasons which drive them to build high towers; economic and population boom.


Despite Japan's sluggish economy and little prospect of population growth, Tokyo has now more than 10 plans of skyscrapers over 500m. Sky City 1000 is among those blueprints. If this plan is carried out, it is considered to help alleviating chronic congestions and compensating lack of green areas. According to the planner, Takenaka Corporation, this 1,000m tall high-rise is "a fusion of architecture, transportation, communications, and energy" which offers "intensive functions and harmony with the natural environment". This vertical city is comprised of 14 concave dish- shaped
"Space Plateaus" stacked one upon the other. Residences, offices, commercial facilities, schools, theaters and so forth are organically located in these spaces, and they can accommodate 3,500 full-time residents and 10,000 workers. Aside from triple-decker elevators which connects those plateaus, trains circuit in each plateau facilitating the travel within the city. Openings between the plateaus let the air and natural light come in, and they also serve as the vents for toxic smokes once a fire occurs. Green areas can prevent the fire from spreading.

(Graphics: taken from website of Takenaka Corporation)