Key Ingredients for the World's Tallest Skyscrapers

"In the search of power, prestige, and profitable returns, developers around the world are commissioning the next great skyscraper. But despite the potentially striking skylines and intricate details, few plans actually get off the drawing board. And of those that do, few buildings achieve their promised, record-setting heights. So why are some projects successful and others not?

...Klemencic believes certain characteristics help skyscrapers to reach their promise. They include cultivated public support, deep commitments by financial backers, and winning designs. In the following interview, Klemencic offers thoughts on the business of skyscrapers â€" why some skyscrapers successfully emerge and why others, that looked vital, failed to get off the ground. He also talks about the impact of terrorism on the world’s tallest buildings, the technology that will help new structures stand, and where tall buildings will emerge in the next decade."