So tall a building the Air Force is troubled

May 28th, 2007 | J Lee | Seoul Searching, Trends

3 Korean cities–Incheon, Seoul and Busan–are vying to enter the super-tall skyscraper fray.

From the NYT:

Many of the world’s new super-tall buildings are rising in overcrowded cities where land is scarce, and a newly emerging middle class is clamoring for modern office and living space. But experts say the drive to go tall also reflects the aspiration of Asian and Persian Gulf nations to join the ranks of the developed world, and to assert that their long-awaited moment in history has finally come.

“Developing countries want the tallest building to put themselves on the map,” said Antony Wood, executive director of the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. “They want to say to the developed world that they’ve arrived, that they now have the financial and technological ability to make these projects happen.”

In South Korea, one reason for the sudden proliferation of ambitious skyscraper plans has been a desire to keep up with its booming neighbors: China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“South Koreans were a little hurt by the fact that Taiwan has the world’s tallest building, and we don’t,” said Lee Bok-nam, a researcher at the Construction & Economy Research Institute of Korea. “If they have one, we have to have one, too.”

Incheon has high hopes its twin Songdo Incheon Towers will refresh its city-brand, which is currently known in history textbooks as Gen. MacArthur’s historic landing. The Yongsan Landmark Building will bring some sparkle to the capital city Seoul. What’s Busan’s motivation?

Update: For a tower to rise in Busan, Korea’s 2nd largest city, will bring in much needed economic re-distribution for the region and leveling of the field.