Why is it so expensive to build stuff in America?

I seem to remember somebody posted an analysis here that scrutinized the skyscraper construction issue more closely. It had something to do with the median floor plate size, or something to that effect. I do agree regulation has had some negative impact, but there are other challenges as well.

The author uses nuclear power plants as an example as well. I think that’s somewhat of a weak argument— Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and the shutdown of SONGS (owing to unimaginably high fixed capital costs needed to continue operations) have all driven down the popularity of nuclear energy. Oh, and Fukushima.

Edit: the analysis was also done by Brian Potter. https://www.construction-physics.com/p/which-city-builds-sky...

The article talks about innovation and says that it has not increased fast enough to offset the rules.

I wonder if it has been considered that increasing innovation may increase the number of regulations.

Specifically around safety.