The construction industry remains horribly climate-unfriendly

Governments are falling well short in their efforts to turn things around

Angled view of the cityscape and skyline reflections looking towards 1 St Mary Axe aka the Gherkin as people in small numbers interact in the quiet urban landscape on 26th May 2021 in London, United Kingdom. As the coronavirus lockdown continues it's process of easing restrictions, the City remains far quieter than usual, which asks the question if normal numbers of people and city workers will ever return to the Square Mile. (photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)

Jun 15th 2022

Covid-induced lockdowns may have upended the world of work, but they have not killed the skyscraper. Even as workers stay home to avoid the commute, cities’ penchant for these concrete marvels of engineering continues unabated. In midtown Manhattan, JPMorgan Chase has knocked down its old headquarters in favour of a new glass tower that will rise 18 storeys higher. Across the city, more than a dozen supertall structures—which rise higher than 300m—are in the works. In London, where gleaming new landmarks are given irreverent nicknames such as “Walkie Talkie” or “The Gherkin”, more than 200 towers have transformed the skyline since 2009. The construction frenzy is not limited to big cities. By one estimate, the planet will add floor space the size of New York City every month until 2060.

This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “A tall order”