The number of tall buildings completed during 2012 fell for the first time in six years according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
In total sixty six buildings taller than 200 metres were completed globally last year compared with 82 in 2011.
The Shard was completed in 2012
The figure was lower than expected as a number of developments were either stalled or delayed as a result of the economic climate. Nevertheless the figure remains the third highest in history and with several projects scheduled for completion in 2013 the numbers are forecast to rise again.
The global number of buildings over 200 metres has increased from 263 in 2000 to 756 at the end of 2012.
The slowdown in construction in the West has been offset by the number of developments in the Middle East and Asia.
This is illustrated by the fact that of the sixty six buildings completed last year, 35 were in Asia and 16 in the Middle East compared with only two in the United States. However – although at a much reduced level than in the boom years – it is predicted that construction activity will increase once again in the US.
Along with the redevelopment of the World Trade Center, there is a mixture of residential and commercial tall building projects in the planning stage in cities including San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles.
The report concludes that, despite the fall in completions and continuing economic uncertainty, tall building construction is on the verge of a renewed burst of growth.
Currently there are 437 buildings taller than 200 metres at various stages of completion globally.
When completed 59 of these will be among the list of the 100 tallest buildings in the world while eight will make the top ten.
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