Many high-rise buildings are designed as vertically mixed-use, i.e., retail at grade, second level and above office commercial space, typically in a podium, with residential and or hotel uses in a point tower above. Hence, they typically reinforce the idea of live and work in the same neighbourhood, which diminishes the reliance on and use of the car as energy consumption and polluting force. When built together, high-rise sustainable buildings give a large concentration of people within walking distance of each other the proximity to major public transportation systems and urban amenities.
One advantage of tall buildings is that they can integrate all disciplines of architecture and engineering into the built environment including exterior wall, glazing, structural framing systems, ceiling systems, lighting, ventilation, exit strategies, building mechanical systems, water recycling systems and fundamental space allocation criteria. Benefits over and above enhancement to the environment include: reduced water consumption costs; reduced impacts on local and regional sewage systems; enhanced landscaping and water features within projects, especially where water conservation is key; reduced energy costs to run the project; eliminating storm water runoff and potential pollution into neighbouring properties.