Skip to main content
Worldbuilding

You are not logged in. Your edit will be placed in a queue until it is peer reviewed.

We welcome edits that make the post easier to understand and more valuable for readers. Because community members review edits, please try to make the post substantially better than how you found it, for example, by fixing grammar or adding additional resources and hyperlinks.

Required fields*

18
  • 19
    $\begingroup$ what is your definition of a skyscraper? If you mean what an average member of western society would call a skyscraper, the unequivocal "no" that AndreiROM provides is pretty much the only answer you can get. The reason for this is simple: skyscrapers are not designed to last 10k years. If they needed to last 10k years, we would design them in a different shape which would not look much like what you or I call a skyscraper. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 1, 2016 at 1:00
  • 11
    $\begingroup$ Some parts of a skyscraper are more durable than others. Elevators need constant maintenance. Isolated windows are broken by stupid birds. Electrical and communications wiring probably won't even be recognizable in the near future. Some door designs need more repairs than others. The lifetime of plumbing depends upon how you misuse it and its complexity. The basic structure has few moving parts, is protected from corrosion, is over designed from an engineering perspective & may be someplace with little seismic activity, few damaging tornados and no hurricanes (like Denver) and last longer. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 1, 2016 at 4:29
  • 27
    $\begingroup$ Egyptian pyramids are pretty high, and already survived ca. 4500 years. One might argue that they are ancient skyscrapers. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 1, 2016 at 9:45
  • 13
    $\begingroup$ @celtschk that raises the question, what survives means. Those pyramids do not look as great as they used to. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 1, 2016 at 12:45
  • 8
    $\begingroup$ A city to last ten million years: Construction $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 2, 2016 at 9:52