ABSTRACT
The underlying premise of this chapter is that objects sometimes become symbolically representative of the city as a whole; urban imagery acts as an independent variable as we experience city life. The iconic object in this concept is the skyscraper, the majestic manifestation of architectural design, which serves to symbolize both the city and the larger society. The subtext of this symbolism is the relationship of the sacred with the secular, and with culture, religion, economics, and power. This sacred–secular duality is expressed in the juxtaposition of the clock tower skyscraper with the religious center of Mecca. The Shanghai skyline represents the emergence of a global city and the economic power of China.
