The Burj Khalifa in Dubai currently holds the title of the world’s tallest man-made structure at a towering height of 828 meters. However, an even more ambitious project, the Tokyo Tower of Babel, was proposed for Tokyo 34 years ago, aiming to surpass Mount Everest in height and accommodate around 30 million people.
The visionary behind this colossal undertaking was Professor Toshio Ojima from Waseda University, who envisioned a structure reaching 10,000 meters, surpassing Everest by 1,150 meters. This proposed skyscraper, with 1,969 floors, was designed to have a conical shape, starting with a broad base covering 110 kilometers and tapering as it rose towards the sky.
Despite being a concept that never materialized, the Tokyo Tower of Babel continues to spark interest and research. The estimated cost of constructing such a monumental edifice, with a steel column weighing 10 billion tons, was a staggering £23 trillion, which proved to be a significant obstacle. Additionally, logistical challenges such as relocating residents and businesses, airspace restrictions, and the risk of natural disasters like earthquakes further hindered the project’s feasibility.
The skyscraper, if built, would have been divided into different zones, including residential, commercial, and even a space development center. While the Tokyo Tower of Babel remains a topic of discussion, the immense challenges associated with its construction make its realization highly improbable.
