Council on Vertical Urbanism

The Council on Vertical Urbanism is like a super-smart group that studies really, really tall buildings, like skyscrapers! They used to be called the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. They are the bosses who decide which building is officially the tallest in the whole world.

They also help cities think about how to build upwards in smart ways, making sure there's enough space for everyone and everything. It's like being a judge for the world's biggest building contest!

This amazing council has its main office in a city called Chicago, in the state of Illinois, in the United States. Chicago is famous for its own super tall buildings! The council started way back in 1969 at a university called Lehigh University.

Later, they moved to another university in Chicago. So, while they study buildings all over the world, their home base is in a city that knows a lot about building high!

Think about how many people live on Earth! As more people come, cities can get very crowded. This council helps cities figure out how to build UP instead of spreading OUT.

This means more homes, parks, and shops can fit into a smaller space. It's like building a super tall LEGO tower instead of a wide, flat one. This helps keep our planet healthy by using land wisely.

They also make sure these tall buildings are safe and good for the people living and working in them.

The most exciting thing this council does is give out the title of 'The World's Tallest Building'. Imagine a race where buildings compete to be the highest! The council has special rules to measure them fairly.

They look at how tall the building is to its very top, including spires. This makes sure everyone agrees on who wins the crown for being the absolute highest building on Earth. It's a big honor!