The Skyscraper Lie: Density, Cost, and Jerusalem’s Future

As the Jerusalem skyline transforms with the multi-billion shekel Gateway project, a critical question emerges: are these glass towers actually the solution to urban density? In this episode, Herman Poppleberry and Corn dive into the "skyscraper rocket equation," explaining how high-rises often lose up to thirty percent of their usable space to elevators and structural bracing. They discuss the "missing middle" of six-story developments, the hidden costs of Jerusalem stone on skyscrapers, and why luxury "ghost towers" might be doing more harm than good for the city's housing crisis. Discover why the most efficient cities in the world look more like Paris and less like a forest of cranes as we explore the intersection of engineering, prestige, and the functional needs of a growing population.