China has imposed limits on constructing super high-rise buildings, as it seeks to eliminate the wasteful ‘vanity’ projects of local governments.
The China Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural development and the Ministry of Emergency Management stated that cities with less than three million population would be restricted from building skyscrapers taller than 150m.
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These cities are required to seek special exemptions for construction of a skyscraper that is beyond 150m.
Furthermore, cities with more than three million populations will be restricted to construct buildings that are taller than 250m.
Special exemptions can be sought by these cities for building skyscraper taller than 250m and less than 500m.
The ministries said it would impose “lifelong accountability” on officials who approve projects that are non-compliant with the new rules.
According to the ministry, local governments are required to undertake inspections of the existing super-tall buildings.
The local authorities are required to check structure, foundations, power, water and gas supply, earthquakes resistance, etc., of the buildings.
In July 2021, China imposed a nationwide ban on the construction of buildings that exceed 500m.
The move was triggered by an incident earlier this year where a 356m, 71-storey tower located in downtown Shenzhen, ‘repeatedly shook’.
Following the incident, which raised safety concerns on the tall building, an investigation was launched.
According to the investigations, the tower’s top mast of over than 50m moved in the wind, causing a repeated shake of the building.
In September 2021, the Shenzhen building was reopened upon dismantling of the mast.
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The local authorities are required to check structure, foundations, power, water and gas supply, etc., of the buildings. Credit: Hands off my tags! Michael Gaida/Pixabay.
