We are living in a new urban age and its most tangible expression is the supertall:
megastructures that are dramatically bigger higher and more ambitious than any in history. In
Supertall TED Resident Stefan Al-himself an experienced architect who has worked on some of
the largest buildings in the world-reveals the advancements in engineering design and data
science that have led to this worldwide boom. Using examples from the past (the Empire State
Building St. Paul's Cathedral the Eiffel Tower) and present (Dubai's Burj Khalifa London's
Shard Shanghai Tower) he describes how the most remarkable skyscrapers have been designed and
built. He explores the ingenious technological innovations-in cement wind resistance elevator
design and air-conditioning-that make the latest megastructures a reality. And he examines the
risks of wealth inequality carbon emissions and contagion they yield while arguing for a more
sustainable resilient and equitable built environment for everyone.
