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VERTICAL URBANISM
ISSUE ONE 2024
THE MAGAZINE OF CTBUH: LAUNCH EDITION
NORMAN FOSTER CHARTS THE EVOLUTION OF HIS SKYSCRAPERS
MVRDV INTEGRATES NATURE AND PUBLIC SPACE INTO HIGH-RISE LIVING
PLUS VISHAAN CHAKRABARTI, RICHARD SENNETT, & TOSIN OSHINOWO
Vertical Urbanism is a new magazine that explores how building height and density can address the urban challenges of our times.
WELCOME TO ISSUE ONE OF CTBUH’S new flagship magazine. The concept “vertical urbanism” has been gestating at CTBUH for some time. It describes a holistic approach to understanding and improving the cities in which we live, exploring how increased density and vertical growth can support more sustainable and healthy cities. “Tall” is still our center of gravity, but with greater height comes greater horizons. Rather than ask, “How can we build taller?” we’re asking, “How can verticality improve our cities?”
On a planet that is becoming increasingly urbanized, we advocate for efficient and humane high-density environments that will cater to future generations. Vertical urbanism is a kit of parts where tall buildings are critical, but so are the concepts, policies and technologies that allow them to integrate with the bigger picture, including the social component. We’re building for better lives, together. We’re shaping the future through engagement, innovation, and transformation to create cities that rise to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Exploring vertical urbanism using different lenses, there are four distinct magazine sections. “Agenda” provides sharp, analytical briefings on recent news, well-considered opinions, and longer-form essays.
This issue places Norman Foster alongside Richard Sennett. “Focus” features detailed examinations of buildings, designs, technology, practices and people. This includes the inaugural City Advocacy Forum, which took place in Miami earlier this year, met again in Istanbul and London. It is the Council’s initiative to bring together city planners from around the world for intimate, in-depth conversations about best practices in managing density and fostering sustainability.
“Research” covers both independent and CTBUH research and commissions. In this edition, leaders from PAU expound on the potential for their home city New York to accommodate some one million new residents. “Insight” brings us inspiration: in this issue, John Zils, the 2024 Fazlur Khan Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, relays lessons learned from the man himself.
Publisher Vertical Urbanism is published by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
ISSN: 2997-9463 (Printed)
ISSN: 2997-9471 (Digital)
Editorial
Editor-in-Chief: Daniel Safarik dsafarik@ctbuh.org
Executive Editor: Will Hunter will@will-hunter.com
Managing Editor: Martina Dolejsova
Associate Editor: Javier Quintana de Uña
Advertising: Jen Hall jhall@ctbuh.org
Production: Tansri Muliani
Editorial
Advisory Board
Isabel Allen Reed Kroloff
Editorial policy
As a platform for interdisciplinary discourse on the sustainable densification of cities, Vertical Urbanism solicits articles from diverse fields of expertise. Contributors are independent from CTBUH, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not represent CTBUH’s official stance nor carry its endorsement.
Submissions
We welcome content ideas from our readers. Please email submissions to the Editor.
Cover
The Vertical Village, by MVRDV, 2013 (see page 82).
Vertical Urbanism launches at CTBUH’s 2024 International Conference, “New or Renew?” This symbol is used throughout the issue to indicate content related to the conference. Visit ctbuhconference.com
This is a special (double) issue for another reason. It coincides with the 2024 International Conference, “New or Renew?” held in London and Paris. Wherever you see the symbol (shown to the left), it denotes an article related to a building or person featured in the conference.
To deliver this relaunch, we’ve collaborated with Will Hunter, who joins as executive editor. For more on our new publication, see “Bulletin” (p. 9). I extend a warm welcome to all readers, old friends and new acquaintances alike.
