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Chinese help redefine African skylines

By Mark Kapchanga (Global Times)    08:42, October 14, 2014
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  Illustration:Liu Rui/GT

Towering buildings are becoming taller by day, as technology cuts the time needed to build them. This process has been catalyzed by rapid economic growth in Asia and the Middle East, which has trebled the number of tall buildings in the world since 2007.

This is a massive leap from the 65 years after 1930, which saw only 15 tall buildings erected. Driven by increased investor appetite, increasing population and low labor costs, the boom in construction has overshadowed the once-king of the skyscraper, the US.

In 1930, 99 of the world's tallest 100 buildings were located in North America. Now, the figure is a paltry 16. Southeast Asia has 48, while the Middle East is home to 30. Ironically, Europe, South America and Africa have only two between them. By 2020, 50 of the world's tallest buildings will be in China.

But it is not just the number of buildings that is fascinating the world. Chinese cutting-edge architectural technology has now seen the average height of the world's tallest 100 buildings top out at 358 meters, a figure which is likely only to rise.

In six years' time, the mean height of the tallest 20 buildings globally will be close to 600 meters. When the two Phoenix Towers planned for Wuhan in Central China are completed in 2018, it will mean that the height of the world's tallest building will have doubled in 10 years.

China's swift response to new construction ideas is enthusiastic. The towers that have crazily dotted its cities are now being replicated in Africa.

While South Africa has historically been a home to skyscrapers, especially in the boom years between 1970 and 1985, other countries, thanks to China, are dwarfing it.

Ethiopia is a classic example of the continent's rapid trip up the skyscraper league tables. By 2017, this country, whose economy is also among the fastest growing in Africa, will be boast a 58-story building built by a private Chinese developer, Guangdong Chuanhui Group.

The development comes scarcely two years after the African Union inaugurated its newly built $200 million, 100-meter-high head office in Addis Ababa, funded by Beijing as a gift to Africa. Overwhelmingly, the structure is seen as a symbol of China's friendship with the people of Africa.

Were it not for a pending court case in Kenya, Nairobi would also be home to one of Africa's tallest buildings. The construction of the 40-story Hazina Trade Centre was begun this year by China Jiangxi International.

If construction resumes, the Centre will blend Chinese and Masai architectural design. Preliminary designs show the building incorporating architectural features such as fritted glazing, green roof terraces, a ventilated atrium, a helipad, and a Nairobi skyline viewing gallery.

Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Luanda, Lagos and Lome are other major African cities that have been touched by Chinese ultra-modern architectural designs, which could ultimately help do away with congestion and increased pollution in urban areas.

Importantly, the Chinese technology enhances land use, emphasizes urban order and preserves nature.

If what is being witnessed in Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Kampala is a carbon copy of the Chinese construction of skyscrapers across Africa, then this means thousands of jobs could be generated for African young people.

In the coming five years alone, more than 100,000 job opportunities will be created by construction, with the new buildings opening up an additional 40,000 jobs.

But the erection of these tall buildings does not automatically translate to a better urban life for Africa. It is worrying that some tall structures are being built even in places where they are not warranted.

Africa's security is also wanting. The continent is still home to armed militia groups, with incidences of terrorism blighting its business climate.

This means that even tall buildings are no assurance of a return on investment. This therefore means that Chinese investors need to be realistic in their occupancy assessments when the buildings are completed.

New designs also come with new risks. There are increasing concerns over the potential impact of glass facades on the surrounding locality. Potential unexpected consequences from building so high with new materials highlight the need for ongoing risk mitigation.

Outside of planning restrictions, limiting factors include the efficiency and speed of elevators, new building materials to potentially replace steel and concrete, safety measures and damping systems.

It is an encouraging sign, though, to see Chinese builders integrating African culture into their designs; otherwise they may alienate the cities that house them.

Perhaps the next phase for these Chinese building firms is to also transfer their architectural knowledge to their peers in Africa, to spare the continent high construction costs in future.

The author is a journalist on African issues based in Nairobi, Kenya. [email protected]

(Editor:Liang Jun、Gao Yinan)
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