| Abstract: | Space value, habitat value and people value are the essences that make up city value. Tall buildings and high density living, to certain degree, compromise lifestyle, life quality and social cohesion. Yet tall buildings, in contrast to spread out habitation, release land for public space and greening. From a compensatory aspect, public space and public facilities should be zoned and designed to remedy the constraints in urban high-density living. In another words, high density could be humanized by the humanness of public common space and facilities that welcome the newborn, that celebrate the newly wed, that energize the newly retired, that honor the newly departed. Romanticism and humanism could add value to a city of tall buildings. Climate responsive, environmentally informed, hazard alert and resource efficient, building designers, builders, managers and occupiers have a role to play in enhancing city sustainability. |
