Investigating the Impact of Ultra-Tall Building Ordinances on the Future of Major Cities

Abstract

The key aim of this study is to investigate the development of Tall Building Ordinances (TBOs) and their interactions with the development of ultra-tall buildings, in order to better understand the role and dynamics of different municipal policies in the urban morphology, and how they could be improved to help better shape the future of the city. The study seeks answers to the following question: How can cities regulate ultra-tall buildings, as a well-defined catalyst, in anticipation of future challenges and uncertainty? This study hypothesizes that some elements of the current Tall Building Ordinances are obsolete, or may lack the flexibility to embrace ultra-tall buildings and address future challenges and emerging technologies. The research conducts a survey of the history and principles of building ordinance policy-making in general and the history of TBOs and Height Limitation Ordinances (HLOs) in particular. Then it will ultimately analyze the forces and dynamics behind the emergence of ultra-tall buildings using primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, in addition to statistics, surveys, and interviews with different stockholders. This study aims to develop an approach to establish universal criteria for evaluating the existing set of TBOs in different cities and to help policy-makers improve the regulatory framework/guidelines for ultra-tall constructions to implement a more indigenous, flexible, and responsive approach toward the emerging human needs and technologies.