The world’s urbanization rate is increasing, with 50% of world’s population living in urban areas. According to UN Department of economic and social affairs the number will increase to 70% by 2050.
That means that more and more people are moving to live in the artificial environment.
It is believed that with the increased density the city becomes more productive and powerful, but in fact, there are particular challenges the city residents are facing.
The most important issue of the big city is its sustainability. Urban sector generates 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. Big cities have to re-think their strategies in order to provide adequate natural environment.
Unfortunately, the growth of the cities is mostly happening chaotically, without a plan or a developed strategy. However, the solution offered in the above article is to "go higher". The skyscrapers can be viewed as one of the solution to accommodate large amount of people reducing the footprint. The cities are now really competing with each other to go higher and higher. But there has to be more thorough architectural planning involved.
In order to improve the sustainability of skyscrapers, architects need to aim for low-energy innovations.
One good example is the Bank of America Tower in New York, USA.
It is made using recycled materials, it captures rainwater and conserves water in other ways, such as with waterless urinals, filters the exhaust air, Also 2/3 of the energy is generated by the building itself, onsite.
The office tower has won a slew of awards and been given a highest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating.
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