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Dezeen Debate features "problematic" surge of supertall skyscrapers in Austin

The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features the growing number of supertall skyscrapers in Austin, Texas. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.

The prospect of increased numbers of supertall skyscrapers in Austin in the next few years prompted residents to ask whether they are a cause for celebration or concern.

Commenters hotly debated the topic. One said that the construction of supertall buildings should be the least of the city's concerns, given that it has already committed what they referred to as "the usual American sins: car-centric design and single-family homes".

Another argued that the more "problematic issue" is that the towers are being built "on the outskirts" of the city.

Project Malachi social space by George Fisher
George Fisher creates modular social space for homeless hostel in London

Other stories in this week's newsletter that fired up the comments section included a renovated house in Melbourne designed by Austin Maynard Architects, an affordable electric car conversion kit by Australian design student Alexander Burton and renders of a supertall skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid Architects for the Trojena ski resort at Neom in Saudi Arabia.

Dezeen Debate

Dezeen Debate is sent every Thursday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Debate or subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design.