Monolithic architecture of high-rise buildings

In both industrialized and developing countries a certain tendency to put up monumental buildings has produced undesirable results, in terms both of human need and of natural environment. In some areas, this tendency has been intensified by unregulated urban land markets and inflated land values. Massive high-rise buildings can be designated as offices in such a way as to sterilize city life. As apartments, they can break up local 'corner-store' relationships, imprison mothers and young families, and impoverish the imaginative life of a whole generation of children. Such high-rise apartments are particularly unsuitable for first generation migrants from rural areas; they are also unduly costly compared with alternative public policies of land settlement, site preparation, and self help in housing.

1. Stultifying homogeneity of modern cities
2. Socially inappropriate housing
3. Inhumane architecture

1. Unconvivial hotel environments for travellers
2. Impersonality of high density accommodation
3. Environmental stress on inhabitants of tall buildings
4. Disorientation stress in large building complexes

1. Unethical construction practices
2. Unattractive pedestrian environments in urban areas
3. Social inadequacy of large buildings
4. Sedentary city lifestyles
5. Pedestrian accidents
6. Lack of places in urban environments encouraging unstructured public access
7. Insufficient separation among urban subcultures
8. Insufficient common land in urban environments
9. Inhibition of exploration by children of urban environment
10. Inhibition of communication between non-proximate offices
11. Inaccessibility of city centres to suburban residents
12. Fear of heights
13. Displacement of natural light in buildings
14. Alienating child-birth environments

1. Unrelated buildings in urban environments
2. Prohibitive cost of land
3. Monotonous and unaesthetic architecture and design
4. Inadequate town planning
5. Excessively costly prestige projects
6. Excessive use of land by automobiles
7. Avoidance of shaded open space in urban environments

1. Inadequate housing

1. Ugliness

1. Planning cities
2. Criticizing monolithic architecture of high-rise buildings

1. Monolithic