THE Middle East is scaling new heights in the global ‘megatall’ towers race, says a new study.

EC Harris, in its study ‘Megatall: What does it take?’, found that economic power and wealth, alongside limitations on space, are the key drivers behind the increase in construction of megatall towers. This is particularly so in the Middle East where the prospering confidence of the UAE and Saudi Arabia is reflected in their emergent skylines, the report states.

Within the next decade, the trend of building megatall towers – those that reach more than 600 m high – is likely to increase, particularly in the Middle East, says the report by the programme and project managers.

Four out of 10 of the world’s tallest buildings are currently located in Asia’s economic powerhouse – China – but Dubai is storming ahead with three of the world’s four tallest buildings to be built there alongside the current tallest building in the world: the Burj Khalifa.

Although China’s Sky City, which is set to open next year, will reach higher than Burj Khalifa, its crown will soon be taken by the Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia. Due for completion in 2019, the Kingdom Tower will dominate the world’s Megatall towers, rising to 1,000 m – just over three times the size of The Shard, the UK’s tallest building.

Economic power is not the only force driving the ‘Megatall’ trend, the report adds. In contrast to mature markets in the West, where planning governance has a significant impact in controlling building height, a much more relaxed planning regime in the Middle East is empowering developers to reach for the skies and build tall. This allows for the demand for housing, office, retail and leisure space from cities with high population growth rates to be met, especially when land is scarce.

Terry Tommason, head of property, Middle East, at EC Harris, commented: “There is an undeniable correlation between economic growth, confidence and power and the rise of the megatall building. Historically, North America signalled its economic dominance by building tall but its mantle was overtaken by Asian economies, particularly China, when the economic balance of power moved east.

“Now, the Middle East, with its booming economy, is set to shift the balance once again.”