Skyscrapers trace their history back to late 19th century America, with New York and Chicago having the largest number. In European cities like Paris, skyscraper construction goes back only to the 1970s. According to the Encyclopedia Americana, the initial impetus for super-tall construction came from the demand for more commercial space. Their construction was made technically feasible by improvements in steel making and elevator technology, and they found their mode of expression in the stripped-down "International Style" of architecture. Such buildings became the mainstream of American architecture and reached its peak in the 1930s.

However, skyscrapers have always been controversial, mainly because of their adverse environmental impact. They literally overshadow smaller buildings, sparking controversy over "sunshine rights." And they attract so many people that surrounding traffic and sanitation are affected.

New first for Taiwan

But the temptation to conquer the sky continues to be attractive. With the global economic boom of the 1980s, buildings in excess of 400 meters began popping up in many cities outside the West: Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Melbourne, Sao Paolo. Taiwan has also joined the trend.

Currently Taiwan has three buildings over 50 stories (roughly 200 meters) and work has begun on two more. The first was the Grand 50 Tower in Kaohsiung; it stands in at 222 meters. It did not hold the title of "tallest in Taiwan" for long. At the end of the same year, work was completed on a joint Japan-Taiwan project, the Shinkong Life building in Taipei, which measures 244 meters.

Six years later there was a new champion: the 368-meter T&C Tower, designed by architect C.Y. Lee. And two years ago work began on a still higher design of Lee's, the Taipei International Financial Center, being funded by China Development and Trust. This project, expected to be completed in 2002, will surpass the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, which is currently the world's tallest building. Another gargantuan edifice now under construction is the Asia Center in Kaohsiung, being built by the Far East Group, whose 103 stories will reach 431 meters.

Manhattan, Taiwan

What are to we to think of the small island of Taiwan having so many buildings over 400 meters?

A few years ago when the American urban sociologist Anthony King came to Taiwan, he averred that the craze for tall buildings in East Asia reflected the region's new economic power. "These countries are no longer willing to be seen as 'Third World.' They want to be 'modern' like 'First World' countries."

But, wonders Yu Chao-ching, a professor of architecture at Chung Yuan Christian University, "Is a city progressive just because it has tall buildings?" He suggests that Taiwanese strive to build the "tallest building in the world" because they are influenced by American culture. The T&C Tower advertised itself as "Manhattan in Kaohsiung," while the Taipei International Financial Center declares itself to be "Manhattan in Taipei." "Anyway," says Yu, "neither puts the emphasis on Taiwan."

Before the 1970s, few cities in Taiwan had buildings over 10 stories. Huang Cheng-ling, an associate professor of architecture at Chung Yuan, says that back then, for various reasons, no building in Taipei could exceed 35 meters. But as restrictions on Taiwan's construction industry were relaxed in the next two decades, buildings rose up beyond 10 and 20 stories. By the time the government noticed that the huge variation in building heights, styles, and dimensions created an unattractive architectural hodgepodge, and tried to impose some planning, "it was too late," says Huang. The Grand 50 Tower, though undeniably a Kaohsiung landmark, has also been criticized as "sticking out like a sore thumb."

But building owners and architects who aim high give little thought to ensuring that their structure's appearance does not jar with surrounding architecture. The reason is not, as many assume, greed, but rather vanity: the desire to create urban landmarks and pioneer new technologies. "Builders want to use the power they enjoy in life to leave behind a lasting monument," suggests Huang Cheng-ling.

C.K. Chung, president of the Chang Ku Group, says with pride: "Before us, there was no building worthy of representing Kaohsiung; we were the first." The project also marked several new "firsts" for building techniques in Taiwan.

K.H. Chang, general manager of the T&C Tower Project for the Tuntex Distinct Corporation, says that the T&C Tower resulted from an off-hand comment by former Kaohsiung Mayor Su Nan-cheng, who said to the group's chairman Chen You-hao, "Why don't you build the tallest hotel in Asia?" This remark sparked Tuntex to aspire to "higher things."

Lonely at the top

"In building skyscrapers," says C.K. Chung, "there's also a sense of mission to pioneer new domestic construction technology." Take for example the two new wind dampers imported for use in the T&C Tower. These will reduce the amount of sway in the building in very high winds by about 70%. In addition, the building is equipped for better resistance against earthquakes and sunlight, and has the fastest elevators in Taiwan-"from the first to the 77th floor in 45 seconds flat."

But many of the T&C Tower's neighbors do not share in the sense of "making history."

One neighbor pours out a stream of complaints: "What we got is cracks in our building, interference with television reception, blocking out of our sunlight, and piercing winds in the winter." The owner of a beauty salon in a nearby building adds: "It's been awful for our plants, most of which have died because of dust and dirt raised during construction."

Giant construction projects always affect the surrounding environment. Over the last ten years, T&C has been through a number of problems, including structural damage, pitting of surrounding roads, and cracking in neighboring residential buildings, and in addition there have been a number of industrial accidents. Besides apologizing and offering compensation, Tuntex also asks people to be more tolerant. As K.H. Chang says, "A building like the T&C Tower which draws worldwide attention is a long-term project, and it is impossible to guarantee that there will be no accidents. But the media always deliberately plays these up, and it seems that people would rather see the negative side of things."

Though many owners and architects may have the sense that "it's lonely at the top," nevertheless this does not reduce their sense of pride at breaking records.

Dances with clouds

People who work in these buildings may also share in the sense of pride.

Broadcast Entertainment South Taiwan (BEST), which is on the 43rd floor of the Grand 50 Tower building, has successfully established a corporate image as "the 'topmost' radio station in Asia." It's also easier to repress illegal stations broadcasting on its frequencies, explains station programming director Chen Yi-ching: "Because the building is tall, the broadcast range is great." The building's high profile has helped the station improve its own name recognition and revenues.

There is also a sense, as one worker at BEST says, of "transcending time and space, a feeling only people who've been there can understand." Steve Liu, general manager of the Chang Song Recreation Company, which runs the Grand 50 Club on the 47th floor, adds: "Outside the window the clouds float by like cotton balls, so close you could practically reach out and touch them." Looking out at the scenery, he often feels that "compared to the vastness of nature, human beings are really small."

On the other hand, BEST has also had bad experiences as a result of being not very "down to earth." Chen Yi-ching says that sometimes the upper floors of the building are cut off from a view of the ground by a cloud layer, and they can't tell what the weather is like on the street. It has happened that the weather outside their window has been clear, and the host of a live program declared that the weather would indeed be good tomorrow, "as you can tell by looking at the sky now." They quickly got calls at the station: "Where are you really? Because here it's pouring!"

For people who work in skyscrapers, the biggest concerns are hazards like fires, earthquakes, and typhoons. Hsiung Hui-fang says that if there's a fire there can be no outside help; everything will depend on the fire-fighting system of the building itself. This is why the Grand 50 Tower holds a fire drill every few months.

As far as typhoons and earthquakes are concerned, C.K. Chung is reassuring: "The Grand 50 Tower has had no trouble at all with earthquakes or typhoons since it was built six years ago."

But guarantees by owners cannot necessarily dispel the fears of workers caught in such events. As BEST's Hsiung Hui-fang says, "During typhoons, we broadcast 24 hours. When the wind is high, the entire building sways. I always feel as if I am just waiting for it all to end." Earthquakes are also unnerving experiences.

From a distance, the T&C Tower sparkles in the southern Taiwan sunshine. When you get closer, you can see that the glass curtain walls have been obscured by a huge banner announcing the opening of a department store, and 2000 workers are still putting the finishing touches on the 3600 ping (3-acre) site.

Record-setting edifices are going up one after another in Taiwan. But we have to ask, though these buildings may give Taiwan a "world leader," and may create symbols for cities, do they provide the safe, healthy, and livable environment that we truly need?

P.45

(above) The T&C Tower is pioneering the use of wind dampers in Taiwan skyscrapers. The photo shows a Japanese technician testing the equipment.

(opposite page) The T&C Tower has led the way in a wave of high-rise construction in Kaohsiung, but it has also increased traffic, garbage, and pollution in the neighborhood.

P.46

The Shinkong building, a joint Taiwan-Japanese project, has been the tallest building in Taipei for six years now, and is the city's most visible landmark.

p.47

Who's the top?

A. Woolworth Building New York, USA 241(meters) 1913

B. Chrysler Building New York, USA 319(m) 1930

C. Empire State Building New York, USA 381(m) 1931

D. John Hancock Center Chicago, USA 344(m) 1968

E. World Trade Center New York, USA 417/415(m) 1972/1973

F. Sears Tower Chicago, USA 443(m) 1973

G. Bank of China Hong Kong, mainland China 369(m) 1989

H. Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 425(m) 1996

I. Jin Mao Building Shanghai, mainland China 420(m) 1998

J. T&C Tower Kaohsiung, Taiwan 368(m) 1999

K. Taipei International Financial Center Taipei, Taiwan 508(m) 2001

Sources: www.worldstallest.com, various books on architectural history

Chart by Jackie Chen

Graphic by Wei Chin-hua

P.48

How would you feel if you had to stand next to somebody 400 m (1300 feet) tall every day? For neighbors of the T&C Tower, the building has brought new business, but obstructs TV reception and sunlight.

P.49

Do skyscrapers really make our cities more beautiful? It's worth thinking about.

（above） The T&C Tower is pioneering the use of wind dampers in Taiwan skyscrapers. The photo shows a Japanese technician testing the equipment.

The Shinkong building, a joint Taiwan-Japanese project, has been the tallest building in Taipei for six years now, and is the city's most visible landmark.

How would you feel if you had to stand next to somebody 400 m （1300 feet） tall every day? For neighbors of the T&C Tower, the building has brought new business, but obstructs TV reception and sunlight.

Do skyscrapers really make our cities more beautiful? It's worth thinking about.