CTBUH 2024 International Conference

New or Renew: Addressing the density dilemma

Today, the construction industry is facing a challenging dilemma: Should we build new buildings, or should we renew the existing ones? In parallel, governments and city-makers debate over the need to grow existing, or to build new, more sustainable cities. The dilemma poses further challenges: How do we make these decisions, and who should be involved?

New or Renew refers to the choice between new buildings and cities, or the adaptation of the existing for the sake of environmental, economic and social sustainability. This is not about the conflict between old and new, or heritage versus future. Instead, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat seeks to identify strategies for transformation and growth that bring new blood to urban life. There is a new generation of tall buildings and shapes of density to be discovered, which provides new opportunities for flexibility and energy savings, as well as a substantial reduction of impact on the environment.