Skyscrapers typify the power and character of cities. Brand-conscious Mumbai is eyeing to have its own soaring superstructure soon.
Large cities the world over are defined by their iconic skyscrapers. The Petronas in Kaula Lumpur; the twin towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan (levelled by 9/11) and the Empire State Building, in New York; Sears Tower in Chicago, Taipei 101 in Taiwan and the Burj tower in Dubai — these structures stand as towering symbols of their cities’ power and character.
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building. There is no official definition or precise cut-off height above which a building may be clearly classified as a skyscraper. However, in most cities, the definition is used empirically, depending on the relative impact of the shape of a building to the city’s overall skyline.
Thus, depending on the average height of other buildings or structures in a city, even a building of 80 meters height (approximately 262 ft) may be considered a skyscraper, provided it clearly stands out above its surrounding built environment and significantly changes the overall skyline of that city.
Unfortunately, India does not have any tall structure which can be epitomised as a skyscraper. If plans work out according to schedule, Hyderabad may become the first Indian city to have an iconic superstructure.
A 450-metre tall structure is at present being constructed in Manchirevula, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The 100-storeyed building is being constructed by Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure Corporation, and will be called APIIC tower. The tower is expected to house the offices of major corporates, hotels and malls.
Hyderabad will also have the second- tallest building after APIIC tower, which, once completed, will be considered Southeast Asia’s tallest residential tower. Situated in the Lanco Hills SEZ at Manikonda village, the Lanco Hill signature tower is set to have 121 floors.
s_ninad@dnaindia.net
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