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Maybe cities like Frankfurt, Rotterdam etc can put them up but cities like Rome, Split, Porto, Seville and the like don't need them as their skyline is unique and stunning as they are.
Last edited by Rozenn; 01-01-2014 at 02:43 PM..
Reason: Copyright issues
Skyscrapers are great, we should have much more of them here in Europe. I was really impressed by down-town Chicago and Manhattan. They would be practical too in our cramped European cities. Unfortunately, only London seems to be somewhat catching up.
I like skyscrapers myself, but I think the general public are indifferent to them and don't care one way or the other. If more European cities start building skyscrapers, I hope they avoid looking like New York or Chicago - that's too much. Frankfurt and Rotterdam have great skylines that aren't OTT.
I agree with Paul's analysis - cities like Rome and Seville have very historic centres, and skyscrapers would probably look out of place. The same with Paris - skyscrapers there belong in La Defense and not in the centre of the city, which is well-preserved and there probably isn't much room for them anyway.
Likewise, in London, skyscrapers are going up in the City and Canary Wharf, not the West End.
Quality is also important - some tall buildings here that were recently constructed were done so cheaply for students and they look pretty bad.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think that there are many worse looking buildings in Paris than the Montparnasse tower. I think it looks quite decent from this angle. Then again, it's my opinion.
What kills it is the fact that it's so isolated. It looks linda dumb, standing on its own. What it needs is a few sisters, a mini Montparnasse skyline. There are many ugly 70s buildings in the area, so it wouldn't ruin anything. https://maps.google.fr/maps?q=paris&...20.24,,0,-8.93
I'm curious what most Europeans think of skyscrapers. Opinions will vary, so I'm interested in hearing different ones.
Do you find them aesthetically ugly/beautiful? Does it depend on the design? What are some of your favourites? Do you find skyscrapers in American and Asian cities a novelty/interesting? Or do they leave you cold?
How do you feel about skyscrapers in European cities? Personally, I feel a city can have both history and a skyline. As long as the buildings don't block the old churches and other monuments I think one can blend old and new. Paris' La Defense or the City of London are good examples of a financial centre with tall buildings away from the historic-cultural centre. Most European cities with skylines (London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Warsaw) seem to have the new area with all the tall buildings away from the cultural centre. Although I don't know how I'd feel about Rome having an American-style skyline. It probably suits some cities better than others.
It all depends on the city, and a skyscrapers ,location, in London there are protected sight lines and skyscrapers tend to be built in certain areas - the areas in blue on the map below.
It all depends on the city, and a skyscrapers ,location, in London there are protected sight lines and skyscrapers tend to be built in certain areas - the areas in blue on the map below.
^^ Canary Wharf does kind of look like Cleveland in that image.
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