Dates: 22-23 October 2009
Venue: Illinois Insitute of Technology, Chicago, USA
Tall Buildings have enjoyed almost two decades of unprecedented development –
built in greater number, height and geographical spread than at any time in
history. That position is now under threat from the twin challenges of global
climate change and a severe international economic recession. Many projects are
being cancelled, put on hold or reducing their pace of moving forward as the
recession tightens, and questions are increasingly being asked of the
sustainable credentials of high rise, especially in light of some of the design
excesses of the past decade.
We are at a unique juncture in time, where the global recession gives us an
opportunity to pause and reflect on what tall buildings have become, and where
they should head into the future. Are they meeting the challenges of climate
change in helping create more sustainable urban environments? Is it appropriate
for a tall building to be used as an icon to project the vitality of a city or
country on a competitive world business stage? Have the fundamentals of
skyscraper conception, financing, design and construction been sound in the past
10 years of boom, or is there a need for reflection and change? Will the
projects that have stopped or slowed, even at an advanced stage of construction,
ever be realized? What will be the signs of recovery and what policies can
cities and governments implement to aid recovery?
These are the questions this conference will discuss. In Chicago, the city
where the global aspiration for tall buildings was first realized, the CTBUH
brings together a conference to debate if Skyscrapers remain relevant to now,
tomorrow and the future. Speakers will include financiers and developers, as
well as sustainable policy makers, architects and engineers. We will celebrate
case studies of completed projects and look to the future to discuss how future
sustainable design policies will affect the property market and what strategies
different countries, cities and developers are taking to mitigate the effects of
the recession.
Case Studies of prominent projects at all stages in the development cycle –
built, under construction, on hold, conceived, or envisaged – will be presented,
including those that represent ‘best practice’ in aspects of sustainability,
design, construction and/or economics. In addition, the world’s leading experts
who have made these projects happen over the past 20 years – the
owner-developers, architects, engineers, financiers and occupiers – will convene
to outline their reflections on the successes and excesses of the past two
decades and outline their thoughts on what tall buildings need to become. Will
the skyscraper rise up to meet the challenges of the future?
There will also be a number of other themes explored during the conference:
- Following the recent completion of Trump Tower Chicago, the Tallest
Building Constructed in the US since Sears Tower (and now the second tallest
building in the US), there will be a ceremony to acknowledge this achievement, and a presentation from the developer of the project regarding this and other projects within the Trump portfolio.
- The CTBUH Sustainability Working Group, consisting of 30 experts from around the world, will update the audience on the launch of its 300-page book: “The CTBUH Guide to Sustainability for Tall Buildings in Urban Environments”.
- As the Council celebrates its 40th Anniversary, there will be a retrospective on the last four decades of the organization.
- Additionally, the "Best Tall Building Overall" will be announced at the CTBUH's awards dinner on 22 October 2009. Read more on the "Best Tall Building" awards for 2009 at architects24.com: CTBUH: 2009 "Best Tall Buildings"
Important dates:
Site/Technical Tours: 21 October 2009 (all day)
Welcome Reception: 21 October 2009, 6 to 8 p.m.
8th Awards Dinner: 22 October 2009, 6 to 10 p.m.
Further Information:
web: www.ctbuh.org
