Shadowing Practice: Why Europe Doesn't Build Skyscrapers - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Why aren't there many skyscrapers in Europe?
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Why aren't there many skyscrapers in Europe?
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Despite being one of the most developed,
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densely populated and economically prosperous continents,
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Europe has surprisingly few skyscrapers,
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particularly when compared to Asia and North America.
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Of the 218 skyscrapers constructed on the continent to date,
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66% of them are located in just five cities cities – London,
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Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow and Istanbul.
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So why have other major European cities not embraced the skyscraper?
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How do they thrive without the significant inner urban space and floor areas that these clever structures provide?
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And is everything about to change in our increasingly urbanised world?
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When skyscrapers first rose to prominence in the 19th century,
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first in Chicago and later in New York,
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many European cities were already firmly established,
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with grand historic buildings and public spaces that left little room for large new structures.
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Most of Europe's cities around that time were also more evenly zoned
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and were not facing the high demand for floor space in key districts that typically drives high-rise development.
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Additionally, as the power and influence of North America began to grow,
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a cultural rivalry emerged between Americans who saw Europe's class system as outdated
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and Europeans who saw some American ideals as eroding traditions and the European way of life.
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As a result, each continent became wary of adopting the other's concepts.
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While North America aimed to become the model for a new age,
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Europe sought to preserve its heritage.
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While this explains why skyscraper construction didn't initially catch on in Europe,
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it doesn't explain what has held the continent back since.
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In the wake of the Second World War,
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many thought European cities would modernise and replicate the skyscrapers that were rising across North America.
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However, in Western Europe, where many cities lost landmark and historic structures,
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an overwhelming desire to restore what had been destroyed took hold.
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In addition, the lower population of Europe at that time meant
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that the demand for floor area that principally drives skyscraper construction wasn't there.
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As a result, modest structures replaced buildings that could not be saved or restored.
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Meanwhile in Eastern Europe, the expanding Soviet Union's rebuild effort consisted largely of mid-rise repetitive structures
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that sought to rehouse much of the population.
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It was during this time that Europe saw its first skyscrapers begin to rise,
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not in response to growth and prosperity,
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but in an effort by the Soviets to indicate their power and influence.
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While Brussels has never constructed a true skyscraper,
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it is partly responsible for the lack of skyscrapers across the continent.
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Without any significant zoning regulations in place,
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the 1960s saw many buildings in the city demolished to make way for large,
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modern structures that had little regard for architectural or cultural value.
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Recognising the damage this indiscriminate redevelopment was doing to the city,
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many prominent figures and architects coined the term brussellisation and lobbied to introduce new planning laws.
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These regulations significantly limited the scale of new buildings and required historic facades to be restored and incorporated into new developments,
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preserving the cultural fabric of the city.
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The row in Brussels led to a general dislike for modern buildings across Europe,
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with many seeing them as bland or soulless.
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In response, numerous cities adopted similar regulations
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and set aside controlled districts like Paris' La Défense to keep high-rise development away from historic centres.
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By the start of the 21st century,
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attitudes around tall buildings were softening across the continent as architectural
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trends moved away from box-like structures towards more unique designs and as the world became increasingly globalised.
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Since the early 2000s, major financial centres like London,
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Paris, Moscow, Istanbul and Frankfurt have seen several skyscrapers rise,
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as demand for commercial space in their centres has increased.
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By contrast, smaller European cities
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that have been experiencing more modest growth have turned their focus to the environment and improving living standards for citizens.
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In recent years, urban areas in Scandinavia and Central Europe have consistently ranked among the highest in the world for sustainability,
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happiness and wellbeing, while maintaining importance within their national economies.
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However, skyscraper construction in the cities of today is no longer driven purely by economic growth
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or the need for commercial office space.
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With 60% of the global human population set to be living in urban areas by 2030,
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residential skyscrapers are now rising in prominence,
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particularly across Asia and North America.
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As many traditional rural-based industries become automated,
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millions are migrating into cities and major urban areas,
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driving significant demand for residential space that is often met with high-rise structures.
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Europe is not immune to this phenomenon,
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particularly in such a heavily globalised world,
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and with the continent's desire to keep up with the progress and economic growth of China and the US.
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As such, Europe could witness a skyscraper boom in the decades ahead.
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However, with entire urban centres now being declared historically significant,
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and with With the desire to retain as much culture and architecture as possible rightly holding strong up to the present day,
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the unique challenge facing future skyscraper construction in Europe is all to do with the past.
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Thank you.

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Why practice speaking with this video?

This video, "Why Europe Doesn't Build Skyscrapers," presents a unique opportunity to practice speaking English while engaging with fascinating cultural insights. As you listen, focus on how the speaker articulates complex ideas about urban development and historical context. This can enhance your vocabulary and comprehension, especially if you aim to speak about architecture, culture, or urban planning.

Using the shadowing technique, you can mimic the speaker's intonation and rhythm, which will help you develop a more natural speaking style. By repeating phrases right after you hear them, you'll solidify your grasp of how English is spoken in realistic contexts. This exercise will not only improve your pronunciation but also boost your confidence in discussing similar topics in English.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Throughout the video, the speaker employs various structures that are useful for English learners. Here are some key expressions to note:

  • “Despite being one of the most developed…” - This structure highlights contrast, useful for presenting opposing ideas.
  • “Many thought European cities would modernise…” - The past tense here indicates a speculation that was common in the past, which you can use when discussing historical expectations.
  • “An overwhelming desire to restore…” - This phrase demonstrates the use of an adjective to convey strong feelings, an effective way to express urgency or importance in your speech.
  • “In response, numerous cities adopted similar regulations…” - The phrase indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, useful for explaining outcomes in discussions or presentations.

These expressions encapsulate how to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, which is essential when engaging with rich topics in English.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice with this video, pay attention to certain words that may present challenges. For instance:

  • "skyscrapers" - Notice the stress on the first syllable, which is common in multi-syllabic words.
  • "architecture" - This word often confuses learners because of its length and syllable breakdown.
  • "regulations" – Make sure to emphasize the second and fourth syllables to pronounce it correctly.

Listening closely to these terms in context not only helps with pronunciation but also ensures you're familiar with the rhythm of spoken English. By practicing shadow speaks through learn English with YouTube, you can minimize these pronunciation traps and enhance your speaking skills significantly.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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