Jason Barr

Jason M. Barr is an American economist and author at Rutgers University-Newark, whose work is in the field of "skynomics", the study of skyscrapers and skylines using modern economics methods. He is the author of Building the Skyline: The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers, which chronicled the history of the Manhattan skyline from an economic perspective. Barr's work is interdisciplinary and integrates multiple disciplines including urban studies, geography, and economic history. Barr is one of the few economists studying the intersection of economics and skyscraper construction.

Biography
Barr earned his B.S. from Cornell University in 1992, his M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College in 1995 and his Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University in 2002.

Barr has conducted research in Changchun, China, and at the Observatoire Français des Conjonctures Économiques. He also received grants from the Land Economic Foundation, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, and the WCF/National Park Service. Dr. Barr is an affiliated faculty member with the Global Urban Systems Ph.D. program. His research interests include urban economics and agent-based computational economics. Dr. Barr serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, the Eastern Economic Journal and the Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination.

Research
Barr's work has addressed widely held myths or misconceptions about skyscrapers and cities. For example, research performed by Barr and his colleagues showed that there was no evidence for the Skyscraper Curse, that the completion of the world's tallest building is a herald of an economic crisis. Barr has also debunked the misconception that Manhattan's geological conditions have been the reason there are few skyscrapers between lower Manhattan and Midtown. Rather, Barr's work demonstrates that Midtown's origin was due to the city's demographic evolution and the fact that Manhattan is a long, but narrow, island that concentrated economic activity to a much greater degree, as compared to other cities. Barr has also written extensively on zoning in the United States including the role of Robert Moses and the City Planning Commission creating the current NYC zones.

New Mannahatta Project




Barr is an advocate of land reclamation projects such as those seen in Hong Kong and the Netherlands. He is also an advocate of Lower Manhattan expansion. On January 14, 2022 Barr wrote an opinion article in the New York Times which proposed the expansion of Manhattan Island. This "New Mannahatta" project proposal was met with criticism from readers despite the project being quite similar to other already completed projects around the world. Among other academics and city planners Barr's project was met with greater enthusiasm.

Legends Tower Project And Criticism
A group of developers is proposing to build the "Legends Tower," which would stand at a staggering height of 1,907 feet, making it the tallest building in the United States if completed. This ambitious project is planned for Oklahoma City, a city not typically associated with skyscrapers of such magnitude. The tower is part of a larger mixed-use development project known as Boardwalk at Bricktown, which includes plans for a Hyatt hotel with hundreds of rooms, approximately 1,750 apartments, and 110,000 square feet of retail space and restaurants. The development aims to capitalize on the growing demand for residential spaces and entertainment options in the area, including new sports arenas and stadiums. However, the proposal faces skepticism due to concerns about financing, market demand, and the tower's ability to withstand the region's severe weather conditions, including tornadoes. Despite these challenges, the project has garnered attention for its potential to put Oklahoma City on the map and stimulate economic growth in the region. The proposal to build the "Legends Tower" in Oklahoma City has stirred considerable debate, with economist Jason Barr expressing skepticism. He questions the economic viability of such a project in a city like Oklahoma City, stating, "It would pencil out in New York, it would pencil out in Chicago, but statistically I can’t see it penciling out in Oklahoma City." Barr raises concerns about the project's financing and whether the market demand in Oklahoma City can support the costs associated with constructing such a towering structure. He also doubts the rationale for including an observation deck, stating, "I’ve never been to Oklahoma City, but what do you see when you go to the observatory? Prairie or whatever? I can’t imagine that’s something that would draw a lot of people." Barr's reservations highlight the challenges facing the developers as they seek to bring their ambitious vision to fruition amidst uncertainties about its economic feasibility and practicality in the context of Oklahoma City's urban landscape.

Books
"Building the Skyline" by Jason Barr explores the evolution of Manhattan's iconic skyscrapers, delving into the economic factors shaping their development. Barr considers Manhattan's geological history, influencing early land use and neighborhood formation, such as the dense tenements of Five Points and the Lower East Side. He explains why skyscrapers emerged downtown and later in midtown, debunking geological myths. Instead, he emphasizes economic and demographic forces driving construction patterns. The book highlights innovative urban solutions for accommodating dense populations. Through rigorous investigation, Barr offers insights into urban growth and city life, making "Building the Skyline" a significant contribution to understanding the dynamics of urbanization and architecture.
 * 'Building the Skyline': The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers''. Oxford University Press, 2016. ISBN 978-0199344369

'Economic Drivers' explores China's economic reforms over the past four decades have spurred immense urban growth, marked by a proliferation of skyscrapers across its cities. While these structures symbolize China's economic prowess, little research has focused on their construction. This report aims to fill this gap by analyzing the economic factors driving skyscraper development in China. Using data from 1980 to 2014 across 74 cities, the study examines how economic incentives, social and political benefits, and city identity contribute to skyscraper construction. Regression models reveal a complex interplay between economic fundamentals and competitive motivations. The findings underscore the economic rationale behind China's skyscraper boom and lay the groundwork for further exploration into their role in urbanization.
 * Economic Drivers: Skyscrapers in China. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, 2017. ISBN 978-0939493555.


 * Cities in the Sky: The Quest to Build the World's Tallest Skyscrapers Simon & Schuster, 2024 ISBN 978-1982174217

"Cities in the Sky" by Jason Barr explores the global phenomenon of skyscraper construction, delving into the motivations, economics, and impact of these towering structures. From iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building to modern marvels such as the Shanghai Tower and the Burj Khalifa, Barr examines the architectural and engineering feats behind each skyscraper. He dispels myths about their origins, discusses the technological advancements driving their proliferation, and analyzes their effects on city skylines and economies. The book covers the evolution of skyscrapers from early American developments to contemporary trends in cities like London, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Barr also addresses the controversies surrounding skyscrapers, including their high costs and environmental impacts. "Cities in the Sky" offers insight into the past, present, and future of urban verticality, appealing to urbanists, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of modern cities.