History, Theory & Criticism: Frankfurt and Rotterdam: Skylines as Embodiment of a Global City

In contrast to US cities, which allowed construction of skyscrapers in central urban areas, the post-World War II development of western Europe generally involved new construction in peripheral zones, while urban centers were mostly preserved or reconstructed to resemble their state before the war. As exceptions to the rule, Frankfurt and Rotterdam were rare European cities that adopted high-rise buildings as main driving forces for the redevelopment of their central zones. These decisions set the conditions for the establishment of the powerful metropolitan images – communicated through skylines – that these cities promote today.