The Mayor Is Banning Glass and Steel Skyscrapers? Maybe Not So Much

During an announcement to mark Earth Day this week, Mayor Bill de Blasio surprised onlookers by proposing a ban on new glass-and-steel skyscrapers as part of his "Green New Deal for New York City." Then, his sustainability adviser took to the podium and quickly walked back the mayor's statement, clarifying that there would still be plenty of ways for developers to use glass in their buildings. Unsurprisingly, the contradictory messages have sparked plenty of confusion among developers and legislators alike — especially because the City Council passed a comprehensive package of environmental bills just a few weeks ago.

De Blasio framed the so-called "ban" as a way to target energy-guzzling developments, and flagged the newly-opened buildings at Hudson Yards as prime examples of wasteful design. But, as Will Bredderman reported for Crain's New York Business, that development has actually been granted one of the highest certifications available for energy-efficient buildings. In addition, he told WNYC's Sean Carlson, glass-and-steel towers can be built taller and leaner than their concrete counterparts, allowing for more usable square footage — which can alleviate the city's affordable housing shortage.

"Most people who are urbanists and city planners do favor greater density on a smaller footprint. That's the advantage that people in the real estate community would tell you of glass and steel," Bredderman said. "It's also very possible, quite frankly, this is going to be a really minor tweak in the city's energy code and the mayor just wanted to roll it out as something big and grandiose for his own political ends."

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