Why Are There No Skyscrapers in Washington? – Webtekno

In fact, when you take a stroll in the city center, you may encounter a very plain view. stretching along the road The highest of the buildings is 13 floors. The reason for this is actually very simple.

“So why? In the heart of America“It didn’t occur to them to build the tall buildings that make America America?” you may think. Therefore, without making us wait too long, let’s explain why this is the case.

America means skyscrapers.

The magnificent skyscrapers of New York, Atlanta’s America Plaza and many more. What if we told you that the number of skyscrapers in North America alone is 2807? This being the case, it is a matter of curiosity why there are no such structures in Washington.

Capital city in Washington DC The tallest building is the Washington Monument, which is 169 meters. The Empire State Building in New York is 443 meters. When we make the judgment between the two, it can be quite difficult to understand why Washington has a 169-meter limit.

In fact, it is thought that the reason for this is the floor height limit, which came into force in 1910 and has remained almost unchanged since then.

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Monument of the tallest building in the city and US Capitol It is an accepted reason that the height limit of two buildings should not be exceeded, which is why the city is filled with short buildings.

Although this is an idea, it is not limited to this. According to this law, a building above 13 floors cannot be constructed. Apart from a few exceptions, one cannot help but wonder whether it actually has any meaning in the 21st century. That Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser Most people agree on this, including

Bowser, This floor limit does not restrict the city. He argues that high-rise buildings will be built and that these buildings will add a different atmosphere to the city, thinking that they serve to make the city more expensive.

There are other examples: For example, until the 1980s, no building in Philadelphia could be taller than the 548-meter city hall.

Philadelphia

There was also a belief in some regions that a building taller than the city hall would negatively affect the city center. But when this limit is crossed, old Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode, “Breaking through this artificial ceiling was a way for people to say the sky is the limit for this city.” He even made a statement.

Having such examples washington It makes you think that it is possible to exceed the limit. People, floor limit Even though he wanted it to be overcome, when this situation happened in London, people were stuck in big, soulless and boring buildings; It is said that everyone lives a monotonous life. It is possible that they do not want the same situation to happen to Washington.

renovated in 1910 U.S. Capitol Height Act of 1899 Let’s get to the real reason behind it, shall we?

In fact, the logic of the law is based more on pragmatic reasons.

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The reason for this law was that fire equipment in the region could only reach so much height. Such a law came into force to ensure the security of the city. Security measures resulting from Washington’s role as the center of the US government It also prevents this situation.

City, to the white house and houses various department buildings. A permanent no-fly zone has been declared in some areas and other security measures have been taken to ensure that tall buildings are not compromised.

It is clear that many things have changed since the Height Act came into force. Area; It went through two post-war booms, the Great Depression, and decades of decline. right now too of the United States It is also one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas.

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