In the modern world, the human desire for skyscrapers is becoming an addiction that goes beyond practicality. While these buildings increase the economic development and aesthetic value of cities, they also bring with them a host of problems, including increasing social inequality and negative environmental impacts.
The word addiction was originally used to refer to drugs and narcotics, but in modern times, its scope has expanded. Smartphones, television, and even certain lifestyles and consumption patterns are now included in the category of addiction. If you look up addiction in the dictionary, you’ll find the following definition “A morbid condition resulting from excessive use of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances, resulting in an inability to do without them; a state of being so imbued with an idea or object that one cannot judge things normally.” When you think about it, we can apply this word to many different situations. For example, modern people can’t do their jobs or even go about their daily lives without their high-tech gadgets. This can be seen as a kind of addiction to technology. This addiction is prevalent in all aspects of our lives.
This addiction is also present in the world of architecture. A prime example is the obsession with building taller and taller skyscrapers. Cities like Dubai, Hong Kong, and New York are already dominated by skyscrapers over 60 stories tall. Some, like the Burj Khalifa and Shanghai Tower, are over 500 meters tall. These skyscrapers aren’t just used for spectacle or as observation decks, but also as actual living spaces. Even in Korea, most of the newly sold apartments are high-rise residential buildings that exceed 40 stories. Humans are obsessed with the desire to go higher and higher.
Why do we want to build tall buildings and live in them? There are many reasons, but the first is the need to accommodate more people on a limited amount of land. Apartments first appeared to house workers during the Industrial Revolution, when European urban centers were experiencing an explosion of population due to rapid industrialization. Early apartments were low, around four or five stories, but as building technology improved, they became taller and taller. The apartment culture spread around the world, and especially in countries with rapid modernization, apartments were built on a large scale to solve the problem of population concentration. South Korea is one such country, where large apartment complexes were built in Gangnam and its satellite cities to accommodate the population of Seoul. These apartment complexes led to the development of commercial districts and cultural facilities, and the influx of more people brought economic prosperity. As a result, skyscrapers have become not only a practical place to live, but also an important factor in stimulating economic activity.
However, there are also negative views of large apartment complexes. In particular, there is concern about the decline in urban aesthetics. Until the early 2000s, most apartments built were boxy and rectangular in shape, reminiscent of bird cages, and were criticized for detracting from the aesthetics of the city. Building codes have since been revised to improve apartment design, and buildings with a more sophisticated look have emerged. With the rise of mixed-use construction, apartments have become more than just places to live, but urban landmarks. Now, mixed-use buildings are built in the form of skyscrapers, and entire cities are filled with skyscrapers. This goes beyond mere practicality and serves to increase the aesthetic value of the city.
The human desire and addiction to heights has been around since ancient times. For example, the pyramids of ancient Egypt, the Tower of Babel, and the cathedrals of medieval Europe all symbolize human aspirations to the heavens. These buildings were founded on religious beliefs and reflected man’s desire to get closer to the gods in the sky. For example, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy or the Sagrada Família in Barcelona were built using the best architectural techniques of their time. These buildings are recognized not only for their height, but also for their artistic value, and they remain popular tourist attractions today.
Skyscrapers have not lost their appeal in modern times, but we need to think about the problems that this addiction brings. While skyscrapers certainly contribute to the economic and social development of cities, they also have negative effects. For example, the people who live in tall buildings are mostly from the upper echelons of society, and they are seen as a symbol of wealth. Movies and TV shows often feature characters living in the penthouses on the top floors of these skyscrapers, which are used as a way to show off wealth and power. On the other hand, these skyscrapers are often inaccessible to the average person, which further contributes to social inequality.
Worse still is the impact of skyscrapers on the natural environment. They change the skyline of a city, and they often harmonize with their surroundings. The many straight lines used in their construction undermine the curvature of nature, and many natural resources are consumed to produce building materials. In the process, environmental degradation occurs and ecosystems can become unbalanced. Although attempts are being made to build more eco-friendly buildings, this is not a fundamental solution. In the end, the act of building tall buildings is an expression of man’s desire for dominance over nature, which negates our efforts to coexist with it.
Therefore, we need to consider both the positive and negative aspects of our addiction to skyscrapers and seek a more balanced approach to urban development. It is time for a new approach to architecture and urban planning to help cities develop, protect the environment, and reduce social inequality.
