Future skyscrapers taller than 500 metres are now banned in Chinese cities

Unless these are built ‘to improve urban landscapes’

Based on a recent directive from the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development, all cities in China are now prohibited to build skyscrapers taller than 500 metres (1,640 feet), unless these structures help improve urban landscapes, reported the Daily Mail.

The authorities, however, failed to disclose which circumstances they will allow cities to build these supertall buildings. The mandate also ordered that new projects taller than 250 metres will also be ‘strictly limited’.

At present, China has the highest number of skyscrapers in the globe, with over 2,177 towers standing at no less than 150 metres and 65 towers rising at 300 metres or more.

More: Green walls rise with Asia’s skyscrapers

With the new directive, the nation plans to implement the “new-era architectural principles,” which aims to transform the appearance of its cities with “practical, economical, ecological and beautiful” urban structures.

The Ministry said that they will forbid all copycat designs and “huge, foreign-worshipping and wacky” developments. They have also challenged regional officials to design buildings that can “represent Chinese characteristics” and “strengthen cultural confidence.”

In case a city wants to construct supertall towers, they must pass a stringent examination given by authorities specialising in energy-saving solutions, as well as fire prevention and earthquake resistant structures, among other requirements.