Vertical City: Rediscovering Great Heights Around the World

Surfer's Paradise has a growing reputation as the resort of choice for the rich and famous, and the skyline is growing too, with the massive Q1 Tower dominating the landscape. How has Q1 affected Surfer's paradise? Is it the jewel in the crown of one of the world's most exclusive resorts, or the nail in the coffin of the chilled vibe and community spirit that makes the Gold Coast unique?

With the highest roof on earth, the sleek Shanghai World Finance Center stands in the new skyscraper capital of the world. Setting the standard for a new generation of super-tall skyscrapers, this Japanese-developed tower, built on Chinese land, also symbolizes a new era in relations between the two previously hostile countries, after Japan's violent invasion of China in the 1930s.

Behind the glistening façade of Boston's John Hancock Tower lies one of the most embarrassing moments in architectural history. An act of arrogance that turned this dream tower into a nightmare. What followed is one of the most unbelievable tales, involving collapsing foundations, windows falling out, and a skyscraper that was likely to topple over.