Article Review #3: The Skyscraper Index (aka, a modern ‘Recession Predictor’)

Recssion Indicator? [4]
Recession Proof (?*)
This week’s article review seeks to highlight one of the more important skyscraper publications in the last 20 years: Andrew Lawrence’s 1999 index on skyscraper development[1], as related to worldwide economic forces, and the revenue behind tall buildings.  Based on Lawrence’s research as economist, he discovered that most ‘world’s tallest’ buildings might come with a dark side: that the heavy push of business to construct their generations tallest buildings, is seemingly also followed by global recession.  As one out of every 100 skyscrapers will likely ever leave the drawing board, this research has incredible connotations for risk analysis metrics for dedicated firms.   


This metric can also be fairly limited in exectuion, as it only explores (only can explore) these concepts over the very short history of skyscrapers.  As one of the newest forms of architecture, and one  .  Skyscrapers have also shifted considerably over the last fifty years, being significantly taller yet less dense than their historical counterparts: factors that have  an incredible impact on business applications and general economics.  

…It has also been mostly disproven to a point[2] by more recent findings, ill considering an entire array of economic and reform metrics that traditionally define business statistics.


Conclusion
Overall though, we give both this Article (and Barr, Mizrach and Mundra’s 2015 followup)  a rarified 10/10, based on its incredible import and relevancy of its topics towards the profession at large.  With luck, it can serve as a guiding beacon for those who wish to understand risk management within the typology better, as we strive to design bigger or bolder. 




[1]Lawrence, Andrew (1999). "The Skyscraper Index: Faulty Towers". Property Report. Dresdner Kleinwort Waserstein Research, January 15, 1999. http://www.ctbuh.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=uXxzolM8loU%3D&language=en-GB Assessed 8 May 2011
[2] Barr, J.; Mizrach, B.; Mundra, K. (2015). "Skyscraper height and the business cycle: Separating myth from reality". Applied Economics. 47 (2): 148–160.http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00036846.2014.967380  Assessed 8 May 2011
[3] https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/westbank-52-storey-tower-howe-granville-pacific-public-hearing/
[4] https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yOtzd_d3EYc/hqdefault.jpg
[5] http://www.dezeen.com/2015/06/09/big-two-world-trade-center-skyscraper-new-york-city-oust-foster-partners/
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