Size matters as cities compete for tallest building crown

A committee of architects has declared New York City's newly erected One World Trade Center the tallest building in the US, at 1,776ft (541m).

The Height Committee of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat announced its decision in Chicago. The previous title holder was that city's tallest building, the Willis Tower, at 1,451ft (442m).

The committee ruled a 408ft needle at the top of One World Trade Center counted toward its height. The BBC spoke to people in both cities to find out whether size matters.

Produced by the BBC's Katy Watson and Anna Bressanin; photos of NYC and Chicago are courtesy of Moneim Eltohami.

Altered States is a series of video features published every Wednesday on the BBC News website which examine how shifting demographics and economic conditions affect America on a local level.