If there is any place in the world where the skyscraper reins supreme, it is Hong Kong. From a distance, these tall, towering structures fill Hong Kong's skyline with forms that touch the clouds. Hundreds of these towers reflect off of Victoria Harbor creating a sense of hyperrealism as people look to these enormous structures. However, why does Hong Kong have so many skyscrapers and what makes the display of these large corporate and residential buildings a sight to see?

In a recent New York Times piece, writer Sam Lubell shares his perspectives of the city. When discussing the variation of structure type and building materials, he explains the beauty of Hong Kong's structural variation. "Many (despite an infamous exception or two) incorporate ancient principles of feng shui while also flaunting the newest technologies of their age, like glass curtain walls, floating podia, steel suspension systems, and twisting envelopes. [...] Modernist towers preach cool minimalism, high-tech edifices lay bare their structures and systems, postmodern constructions embrace gaudy shapes and historical references, and today’s towers often decompose before our eyes."

This densely populated metropolis did not start this way. It was not until after World War II which prompted hundreds and thousands of mainland inhabitants from China who sought out refugee in the city. Once the industrial boom took off, the city soon transitioned into a prosperous one. However, one big problem remained space and available land. In certain parts of China, specifically in the newer territories, space was available. However, pathways and a viable means of getting there were limited at that time. The northern region of Hong Kong and the city of Kowloon soon become China's home of megastructures. A wave of residential towers broke the scene, and commercial high rises followed suit. 

Hong Kong's vertical forests of steel, concrete, and glass do not follow a traditional building to building relationship grid. Instead, skyscrapers are bunched together. Buildings and pathways blend into each other creating many unexpected corners and places of transit. The book Cities Without Ground by Jonathan Solomon, Adam Frampton and Clara Wong describe Hong Kong's collection of vertical networks as a "condition of groundlessness." From afar the city presents a picturesque skyline which the public ogle and attempt to capture. However, once within the dense urban city these towering structures create an entirely different experience. Solomon explains, "you can’t visually perceive anything, so you have this hierarchy based on other senses. You know when you are in a high-end shopping mall when the air is cool and dry and perfumed. Then you realize you’re in a transit space when things get a little bit warmer and noisier and the materials are a little less reflective."

Although Hong Kong's iconic presence of skyscrapers creates a mesmerizing visual landscape, the extreme density of the city does pose several issues. These tall towers cut off air circulation in certain neighborhoods which trap air pollution and heat during warmer months. With the rapid improvement of building and construction technologies, more developers are finding ways to build vertically despite the lack of space. More buildings are beginning to look alike thanks to specific building codes which manage the structural possibilities of newer buildings. It is true that Hong Kong is a site to see with Victoria Harbor and the mountain range in the background. However, it is only a matter of time before every possible inch of the city is occupied.