Editing Skyscraper (section)

{{Short description|Tall habitable building}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
[[File:Burj Khalifa.jpg|thumb| Completed in 2009, the [[Burj Khalifa]], in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is {{As of|2009|alt=currently}} the [[List of tallest buildings|tallest building]] in the world, with a height of {{convert|829.8|m|ft}}. The [[Setback (architecture)|setbacks]] at various heights are a typical skyscraper feature.]]
A '''skyscraper''' is a tall continuously habitable building having multiple floors. Most modern sources define skyscrapers as being at least {{convert|100|m}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Skyscraper, Emporis Standards |url=https://www.emporis.com/building/standard/75/skyscraper |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511222640/http://www.emporis.com/building/standard/75/skyscraper |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 May 2015 |website=Emporis.com |access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref> or {{convert|150|m}}<ref>{{cite web |title=What is a Skyscraper? |url=https://www.theb1m.com/video/what-is-a-skyscraper |website=Theb1m.com |access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref> in height, though there is no universally accepted definition, other than being very tall [[Tower block|high-rise buildings]]. Skyscrapers may host offices, hotels, residential spaces, and retail spaces.

One common feature of skyscrapers is having a [[steel frame]] that supports [[Curtain wall (architecture)|curtain walls]]. These curtain walls either bear on the framework below or are suspended from the framework above, rather than resting on [[load-bearing wall]]s of conventional construction. Some early skyscrapers have a steel frame that enables the construction of load-bearing walls taller than those made of [[reinforced concrete]].

Modern skyscraper walls are not [[load-bearing]], and most skyscrapers are characterized by large surface areas of windows made possible by steel frames and curtain walls. However, skyscrapers can have curtain walls that mimic conventional walls with a small surface area of windows. Modern skyscrapers often have a [[Tube (structure)|tubular structure]], and are designed to act like a hollow [[cylinder]] to resist wind, seismic, and other lateral loads. To appear more slender, allow less wind exposure and transmit more daylight to the ground, many skyscrapers have a design with [[Setback (architecture)|setbacks]], which in some cases is also structurally required.

{{As of|September 2023}}, fifteen cities in the world have more than 100 skyscrapers that are {{convert|150|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} or taller.{{efn|[[List of tallest buildings in Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] has 552 skyscrapers; [[List of tallest buildings in Shenzhen|Shenzhen]], China, 373; [[List of tallest buildings in New York City|New York City]], 314; [[List of tallest buildings in Dubai|Dubai]], 252; [[List of tallest buildings in Guangzhou|Guangzhou]], China, 188; [[List of tallest buildings in Shanghai|Shanghai]], 183; [[List of tallest structures in Tokyo|Tokyo]], 168; [[List of tallest buildings in Kuala Lumpur|Kuala Lumpur]], [[List of tallest buildings in Malaysia|Malaysia]]; 156; [[List of tallest buildings in Wuhan|Wuhan]], China, 149; [[List of tallest buildings in Chongqing|Chongqing]], China, 144 ; [[List of tallest buildings in Chicago|Chicago]], 137; [[Chengdu]], China, 117 skyscrapers; [[List of tallest buildings in Jakarta|Jakarta]], 112 skyscrapers; [[List of tallest buildings in Bangkok|Bangkok]], 111; and [[Mumbai]] has 102.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://skyscrapercenter.com/cities?list=buildings-150 |title=Cities by Number of 150m+ Buildings |publisher=The Skyscraper Center |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027030452/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/cities?list=buildings-150 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} As of 2024, there are over 7 thousand skyscrapers over 150&nbsp;m (492&nbsp;ft) in height worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Countries by Number of 150m+ Buildings - The Skyscraper Center |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/countries |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=www.skyscrapercenter.com}}</ref>