Introduction

I want my story, set in the modern day, to have a unique architectural feel. Part of my strategy - no skyscrapers.

Wikipedia:

The term skyscraper was first applied to buildings of steel-framed construction of at least 10 storeys in the late 19th century.

Hmm, we don't want to rule those out... let's try something slightly different.

Task

What is the latest, and the least fiscally and culturally disruptive, divergence from real history needed for no skyscrapers as we know them¹ to have been constructed in 2020?

Criteria

In no particular order:

• To repeat, a later and fiscally and culturally less-disruptive change is favoured.
• Urban population density must still be of the order of 15,000 per km² (cf. 19,718 per km² for urban Edo in 1725)
• In moderate detail, please specify the alternative city-building route this other timeline should go down. Air, water, noise, light and heat pollution are disfavoured. Visual similarity to pre-1850 architecture is favoured.
  • For the purposes of this question, you needn't consider trying to change land prices.
• Don't curtail the development of skyscrapers, prevent it.
• Your suggested change needn't prevent skyscrapers with certainty; just satisfy reasonable worries.
• The point of departure has to be a single event or a collection of tightly coupled, interdependent events (credit - Q: change required for Axis victory).
• Whilst staying realistic, be as creative as possible.

¹ Steel-and-glass architecture above 100 m (328 ft) should be strictly minimal, preferably eliminated.

posted almost 4 years ago

subdermatoglyphic‭

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