It is widely assumed that the ¿dense vertical city¿ is more sustainable than the ¿dispersed horizontal city.¿ This concept has certainly been a large factor in the unprecedented increase in the construction of tall buildings globally over the last few decades, especially in the developing world. The concentration of people in denser cities ¿ sharing space, infrastructure, and facilities ¿ is typically thought to offer much greater energy efficiency than the expanded horizontal city, which requires more land use, as well as a higher energy expenditure in infrastructure and mobility.Though this belief in the sustainability benefits of `dense¿ versus `dispersed¿ living is driving the development of cities worldwide, the principle has rarely been examined at a detailed, quantitative level. Studies to date have been mostly based on large data sets of generalized data regarding urban-scale energy consumption, or large-scale transport patterns. Crucially, there are very few studies that also consider a ¿quality of life¿ aspect to urban vs. suburban living, in addition to differences in energy use patterns.Chicago, subject city of the research, is uniquely positioned for a study exploring density vs. sprawl from a sustainability point of view. The birthplace of, and center for innovation in tall buildings, Chicago also has an ever-growing suburban area that is typical of most US cities. And yet, again in line with many other cities around the world over the past decade or two, it has seen suburban growth alongside densification of its downtown area and a resurgence of people seeking high-rise urban living.This research report offers a quantitative evaluation of long-held assumptions, and with sometimes surprising results. The ground-breaking study quantitatively investigates and compares the sustainability of people¿s lifestyles in both urban and suburban areas from environmental and social perspectives, using detailed information directly collected from households and best available data from public resources. It fills significant research gaps in our knowledge of the sustainability of urban density compared to suburban sprawl. This is an indispensable resource for policy makers, developers, urban planners, architects, utilities, and anyone else with a stake in shaping the future of the built environment.

"Harsh and ingenious! High Rise is an intense and vivid bestiary, which lingers unsettlingly in the mind." —Martin Amis, New Statesman When a class war erupts inside a luxurious apartment block, modern elevators become violent battlegrounds and cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on “enemy” floors. In this visionary tale, human society slips into violent reverse as once-peaceful residents, driven by primal urges, re-create a world ruled by the laws of the jungle.

A collection of five short comedies about young women and the various issues they confront today.

A concise guide to the structural design of low-rise buildings in cold-formed steel, reinforced masonry, and structural timber This practical reference discusses the types of low-rise building structural systems, outlines the design process, and explains how to determine structural loadings and load paths pertinent to low-rise buildings. Characteristics and properties of materials used in the construction of cold-formed steel, reinforced masonry, and structural timber buildings are described along with design requirements. The book also provides an overview of noncomposite and composite open-web joist floor systems. Design code requirements referenced by the 2009 International Building Code are used throughout. This is an ideal resource for structural engineering students, professionals, and those preparing for licensing examinations. Structural Design of Low-Rise Buildings in Cold-Formed Steel, Reinforced Masonry, and Structural Timber covers: Low-rise building systems Loads and load paths in low-rise buildings Design of cold-formed steel structures Structural design of reinforced masonry Design of structural timber Structural design with open-web joists

This book argues that the mid-rise way of urban living is an essential component of growing cities, demonstrating that the economics of this form of development are better than that of terrace houses or town houses. It begins by examining successful historic precedents of this housing type, such as the tenements of Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona and New York and successful mid-rise housing in London. The book then discusses reasons for the relative lack of contemporary mid-rise housing developments, including planning legislation, and the perception that it is a dull and uniform building type. It brings together and analyses a wide range of award-winning international contemporary examples by leading architecture firms, looks at the importance of location, the need for urban placemaking, visual interest and design diversity and mixed use precincts, and highlights the advantages, including demographic diversity, urban density, sociability and reduction of car use.

This book establishes a proper firefighting mindset and promotes maintaining preparedness for the extreme physical and mental demands of firefighting operations in high-rise and standpipe-equipped buildings ... Among the many valuable topics covered in this book are: standpipe system pressure regulating devices, pressure restricting devices and pressure reducing valves; cautious and disciplined elevator use during high-rise operations; elevator rescue operations; proper engine company suppression selection, including techniques to operate more powerful firefighting weapons with limited manpower; air support operations during high-rise emergencies, with or without an internal resource.

... As one walks the streets of the Philadelphia, Sauer's buildings stand out for the masterly way he calibrates architectural composition and the varied playfulness of his solutions which, through a complex body of intuitively defined rules, one will find the very essence of Sauer's field of action where he interprets the reality of the setting and its surroundings. This book, then, is an enjoyable, lively read, because it proposes a profoundly democratic architecture that opens individuals' minds, leaves room to the end-user's aesthetic sensibility and presupposes a curious, imagining heart... From the Preface by P. C. Pignatelli L. Sauer, born 1928, FAIA, Hon FRAIA, is an architect, professor and design theorist. Extensive projects have been built in the U.S.A. and Canada where his work is an example of planning and design originality. A. Saggio (1955) teaches Architecture at «Sapienza» University (Rome). He is the founder of the book series "The IT Revolution in Architecture".