Stricter building regulations for skyscrapers have been drawn up by the City of London because of concerns that high-rise buildings will generate winds capable of knocking over cyclists and pedestrians.
The developers will have to provide more inclusive safety assessments of how the proposed buildings will affect people on street level. Extra robust testing of roadways and pavements is also being prepared alongside the new scale models, which will be analysed in computer simulations.
The city will reduce the level of wind conditions considered to be tolerable by the rules, as the average speeds at present show to be more than 8 metres per second. This comes as uncomfortable in all circumstances, making developers lessen the plans of designs shown as likely to affect cyclists and pedestrians.
A host of skyscrapers have joined the London skyline in the recent years, with a particular collection in the city, including the Leaden Hall Building, which is known as the “Cheesegrater“, at 20 Fenchurch Street. Thirteen other skyscrapers, ranging from 78-305 metres tall, are expected by 2026. There are presently six high-rise buildings under construction in the capital and another seven are being planned to be given consent from the City of London.
Reports of the downdraughts came soon after the construction of the 39-storey Walkie-Talkie was completed in 2014. The building’s shape resulted in the sun’s rays being reflected on to the streets in such an intense beam that journalists were able to fry an egg in the heat.
The City of London Corporation has stated that the new rules are not in response to any particular incident. A spokeswoman added that the city’s skyscrapers were always being “carefully observed” including Walkie-Talkie, “to ensure the wind conditions in the surrounding streets remain stable”.
In the UK, the dangers of the high-rise buildings are creating wind tunnels, which have been most evident in Leeds. The Bridgewater Place tower had caused numerous road closures and the death of a pedestrian when a lorry was blown over.
Cycling groups welcomed the City of London’s move. Simon Munk of the London Cycling Campaign said: “There is a well-documented risk of concrete canyons, creating wind conditions. The pedestrians can be knocked off their feet and cyclists can be pushed sideways into the path of motor vehicles.”
