|
The Top 15
Skylines in the World v3.0
All my years in studying Urban Planning helped me
grow a greater appreciation for the dense downtown skyline of
the big city. The downtown core of big cities across the
Americas, Europe and Asia are the cultural pulse and economic
engines of urban regions where millions of people live. All
urban "life" begins and ends, each day and night under the
watch of the city's tallest skyscrapers and most grand
architectural structures. So kick back and appreciate the view
that they have to offer...
1. Hong Kong,
China
Hong Kong is number one on my list for many
reasons: Hong Kong has a whopping 43 buildings over 200 metres
tall, 30 of which were built in the year 2000 or later!!! It
also boasts four of the 15 tallest buildings in the world…
that's all in one city! Hong Kong’s skyline shows a large
selection of distinct sky-reaching towers, with beautiful
night lighting and reflection. This city exemplifies the
post-modern skyscraper and skyline. Finally, the mountain
backdrop makes this skyline (as you can clearly see) the
greatest on the planet!
Metro/Urban Population: 6.9
million
2. Chicago, USA
Chicago
is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. When Chicago built
its first steel high-rise in 1885, it was not the tallest
structure in the world but the first example of a new form of
engineering that would change nearly every city on earth.
Chicago has 19 buildings over 200 metres tall (three of which
are among the top 20 tallest buildings in the world, including
the tallest in North America). Chicago has some of the finest
mid-century architecture and examples of modern
skyscrapers.
Metro/Urban Population: 9.5
million
3. Shanghai, China
Not
to be mistaken for a space station, Shanghai is a real city!
China's biggest and most advanced city, Shanghai was said to
be the most cosmopolitan city in the beginning of the 20th
century, but lost its glory during the “Mao
era”. It is now quickly regaining its position as one of
the biggest economic powerhouses in the world as well as a
showcase of modern architecture. In Shanghai you’ll find 25
structures that are over 200 metres tall, one of which is the
insanely tall, the 468m downtown Oriental Pearl TV
Tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 13.1 million
4. New York City,
USA
New York City has one of the densest and most
diverse skylines, with a huge collection of buildings and
building styles. Thanks to Hollywood’s obsession with the
city, it is also the most easily recognizable skyline in the
world. New York City has an amazing 47 buildings over 200
metres - the most in the world! The four tallest buildings in
NYC were all built in the early 1930s! Home of the famous,
(now tragically destroyed) World Trade Center Towers, the
Empire State building, the Statue of Liberty and the United
Nations, New York City is the financial capital of the western
world! Upon the completion of the new "Freedom Tower" (built
on the old site of the World Trade Centers), it may rank
higher in this list.
Metro/Urban Population: 21.0
million
5. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo
is the world's most populated city. Its skyline has a number
of unique characteristics that set it apart from other big
city skylines, among them 15 structures at over 200 metres
tall (including the Tokyo Tower which changes colors every
night). But because of the density and vast size of the city,
every corner appears to have its own skyline. With the height
restrictions and the required red lights that flash atop all
mid to tall-sized buildings make the city look spectacular at
night. Tokyo is filled with neon lighting and unique,
contemporary architecture, and like New York City is also
often portrayed in movies for its aesthetic and eye-catching
cityscapes. Interesting fact: Tokyo houses the world's largest
fleet of helicopters to get around town if traffic gets too
crazy.
Metro/Urban Population: 32.0 million
6. Singapore
One of the
best (urban) planned and cleanliest metropolitan cities in the
world, Singapore looks like an architectural model city come
to life. The buildings cannot be higher than 280 metres due to
air traffic control restrictions, but that has added a tall
(but not too tall) and consistent building height and space
pattern that makes this skyline unique: Three buildings are
exactly 280 metres tall and 5 others (8 total) stand at just
over 200 metres. The buildings are mostly light-coloured and
there is a large expanse of greenery dotted around the city
core. This South-Eastern city is definitely in a league of its
own.
Metro/Urban Population: 3.8 million
7. Toronto,
Canada
Toronto is a meeting place, a crossroads of many
cultures and ethnicities. Toronto is downtown Canada, the
biggest city in the country with a skyline to match. Toronto
has 7 structures in its skyline that stand at over 200 metres,
including the astonishingly tall 553 metre, CN Tower, which is
often referred to as the tallest free-standing structure in
the world. While mostly untrue (because there are taller TV
masts in the world), the CN Tower possess the world's highest
observation deck, making this city's skyline one of the most
immediately identifiable.
Metro/Urban Population: 5.1
million
8. Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
This is probably the most impressive city
worldwide that has less than 2 million residents. Marvelous
modern buildings reach the sky here, and while the skyline is
not too dense, it does allow buildings to soar and stand out.
Kuala Lumpar has three of the 25 tallest buildings worldwide,
including the tallest twin buildings, the Petronas Towers
(which are arguably the second and third tallest overall in
the world) as well as the 420 metre Menara Kuala Lumpur
Tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 1.5 million
9. Shenzhen, China
What
was a tiny fishing village on the border of Hong Kong in 1970
is now a buzzing metropolis of over four million people. With
13 buildings at over 200 meters tall, including the Shun Hing
Square (the 8th tallest building in the world), Shenzen is a
marvel of lights after sunset. You can’t help but ask yourself
if you are in a video game or in a real
city.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.2 million
10. Seoul, South
Korea
This city's skyscrapers are divided into many
clusters, spread amongst the main businesses and residential
districts. Most of the recent growth in Seoul's skyline,
however, has been of residential towers over 60 storeys high
that are shooting up like blades of grass! There are 10
buildings in Seoul over 200 meters tall and much of the
mid-rise to high-rise structures are lined up in a linear
fashion, creating a "wall" of buildings like no other. Seoul
is where the ancient Eastern world meets the modern West.
Metro/Urban Population: 20.8 million
11. Sao Paolo,
Brazil
“What building did you say they lived in?”
Finding it in the largest mass of condensed apartment
buildings anywhere would be like finding a needle in a
haystack. Sao Paolo has a population of over 18 million
people! While the buildings are not super tall (with only a
single structure at over 200 meters tall) this skyline is
nevertheless stacked. Sao Paolo has a fleet of over 500
helicopters, the second largest helicopter fleet in the
world.
Metro/Urban Population: 18.3 million
12. Sydney,
Australia
Australia’s showcase city, Sydney has one of
the most recognizable skylines due to its world-famous
harbour, often referred to as the most beautiful natural
harbour in the world. The Sydney Harbour has many bays, inlets
and secondary harbours. It is spanned by the monumental
Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House decorates the shoreline
like a white flower. The Sydney skyline is world-class with
hundreds of skyscrapers in the central business district and
many more high-rise buildings in the outlying neighbourhoods.
Sydney has 8 buildings over 200 metres tall.
Metro/Urban
Population: 4.2 million
13. Frankfurt,
Germany
Certainly one of Europe's most interesting
cities in terms of skylines, Frankfurt is home to five
structures that are over 200 metres tall. These modern
skyscrapers are marvels compared to those other, mostly
non-existent ones scattered across European cities. The
contrast here is interesting: The city combines low-rise,
high-density traditional European architecture (some of which
is over 1,000 years old), with modern towers that stick out
like sore thumbs, but are impressive
nonetheless.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.1
million
14. Dubai, United Arab
Emirates
Is this a mirage in the Middle East? Seemingly
out of nowhere emerges a city in the middle of a desert. This
is Dubai, a city that produces only the best modern
architecture in the world. Already home of the world's tallest
all-hotel building and the tallest all-residential building in
the world, AND currently proposed to build the world's tallest
building, this skyline might just leap to the number 1 spot in
the near future. While the skyline is not so dense, each
building is a marvel all on its own. As a skyline it probably
can't compete with the larger cities, however the individual
buildings in this city are by far the greatest examples of
modern architectural accomplishments. All seven structures in
this city at over 200 metres tall were built in 1999 or later
- that's how new this city is.
Metro/Urban Population:
1.6 million
15. Seattle,
USA
Seattle is the
commercial, cultural and advanced technology hub of the
Northwest USA and a major port city for Pacific and European
trade. Home 4 buildings over 200m and the famous 184m Space
Needle observation tower, Seattle is surrounded by mountains
and water and offers some picture-perfect views. Seattle is
commonly referred to as the Emerald City and renowned as a
great social and corporate city with great
planning.
Metro/Urban
Population: 3.6 million
Honorable
Mentions
16. Pittsburgh,
USA
Although Pittsburgh only has two buildings over
200m tall, its skyline is very impressive nonetheless.
Pittsburgh has nicknames like the "city of bridges", "the
Burgh" or the "golden triangle" which outlines its true
characteristics. It is surround by three rivers and the CBD is
shaped in a triangle and surrounded by golden color bridges.
The city is also surrounded by hills and valley's giving
access to great views of the city. The city has not had a
major skyscraper raised since 1988, but good planning and a
scenic surrounding region still makes it a great
skyline.
Metro/Urban Population: 2.4
million
17. Guangzhou,
China
Guangzhou is a very modern city, yet it is called
"the City of Flowers,” as each of its spectacular skyscrapers
is surrounded by grand green spaces and flower beds. Although
it only has six structures at over 200 metres tall, there are
plenty of other high-rises, each displaying a design that
stands out in its own respect. This includes the 391 metre,
80-floor, CITIC Plaza which appears transparent against the
(usually) clear blue sky!
Metro/Urban Population: 4.1
million
18. Dallas, USA
The
"Big D", is a major inland American city. The city and
metropolitan area lies amidst vast, high, and varying rolling
prairies - with hundreds of large & small lakes, rivers,
creeks, waterways and meanders. But Dallas; downtown is the
center of the Forth-Worth-Dallas Metro Region which is home to
5.9 million people. Dallas' skyline is home to 7 buildings
over 200 meters and the 187m Reunion Tower which looks like
huge sphere of light! The skyline is very distinctive at night
as it building lighting is very colorful, particularly with
lots of green.
Metro/Urban Population: 5.2
million
Visit the World's
Best Skylines by
Egbert Gramsbergen and Paul Kazmierczak to get a objective
ranking of skylines based on building heights
Back To The
Top |