In this graphic, Adam Symington maps the extent of humanity’s impact on the world from 1993 to 2009, using information provided by the scientific paper titled “Global Terrestrial Human Footprint Maps for 19.” Variables for Measuring Human Impact Mass agriculture, natural resource extraction, and creation of urban infrastructure are just some of the visible markers of modern human development.

Since the dawn of human history, our activities have left an impact on Earth-from gathering food to farming, from building homes and cities to traveling across oceans.Īnd as the global population expanded and civilizations became more complex, that impact grew alongside it. The Future of the Global SkylineĪs the world continues to reach new heights in architectural marvels, there are even more supertall skyscrapers in the pipeline that will reshape skylines across the globe.įrom the soaring Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, poised to surpass the Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building, to the remarkable Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, which is set to claim the title of the world’s second-tallest structure when it opens in June 2023, these projects will captivate city dwellers for years to come.Įven as these new monumental buildings rise, China’s prominence in the world of skyscrapers-with three cities in the top five globally-is likely to remain unchallenged. There’s no doubt that the country’s relentless pursuit of vertical development, coupled with its booming population and thriving cities, has positioned China as the unrivaled leader in the global skyscraper race. CountryĬhina’s rapid urbanization, economic growth, and ambitious construction projects have fueled this impressive feat. Looking at this data from another perspective, China actually has more skyscrapers on this list than the rest of the world combined. This desert oasis has become synonymous with grandiose architecture and record-breaking structures, exemplified by the Burj Khalifa, which is the world’s current tallest building at 828 meters (2,715 ft).

Rounding out the top five is Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which grabs the fourth position with 395 skyscrapers, a staggering 28 of which are supertalls. Notably, while the Empire State Building enjoys widespread familiarity, it no longer ranks among the world’s 50 tallest structures. Although it may have relinquished its title to Chinese cities, the city’s skyline endures as a globally renowned symbol, prominently featuring the iconic Empire State Building. New York City secures the third position on the list, boasting an impressive tally of 421 skyscrapers. This is even more impressive when considering that Shenzhen was a small fishing village until the 1970s. Hong Kong, along with Shenzhen (#2), and Guangzhou (#5) are part of the burgeoning megacity known as the Pearl River Delta, which is home to over 1,500 skyscrapers.

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