With rising sea levels, the possibility of floating cities appearing might become a reality faster than expected.

With the construction of the world’s first floating city, attention is focused on this new possibility

By: Joseph Wong 

A new age has begun. The concept of floating cities, once limited to the realms of science fiction, is now garnering increasing attention and consideration as a potential reality. As technology advances and the need for innovative solutions to various challenges arises, the idea of constructing habitable structures on water surfaces has gained traction.

The world’s prototype floating city that adapts to sea level rise was unveiled at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York in April last year. Dubbed Oceanix Busan, this first-of-its-kind development is sited in Busan, South Korea. A dairy farm, a park made up of islands and a luxury hotel that rotates on the water to generate electricity are some of the floating architecture projects that have made headlines in recent years. And the goal is for this city, a floating city that adapts to sea levels to house a sizable population, to be ready before 2030, the year in which Busan aspires to host World Expo 2030.

Floating cities present a range of potential benefits. They could help address issues such as overpopulation, urban congestion and the potential risks posed by rising sea levels. Additionally, these cities may provide opportunities for sustainable living and energy generation, as well as serve as centres for scientific research, tourism and commerce.

Working progress

Innovative prototype: An artist's impression of what the Oceanix Busan prototype being built in South Korea would look like. — OCEANIX/BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

While fully realised floating cities are still a work in progress, various projects and initiatives around the world are exploring the possibilities. The idea that cities could be built to float is not a new concept, and apart from existing floating villages in places like Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, there has been an ongoing architectural debate since the 1950s that has recently gained significant traction, with the United Nations calling for research into floating cities, according to Australia’s Macquarie University School of Natural Sciences associate professor Katherine Dafforn.

To date, only small isolated projects have popped into existence such as the floating man-made island constructed out of reclaimed plastic bottles by Richart Sowa near Cancun, Mexico. His first floating island was destroyed during a hurricane in 2005. A bigger version was recorded in 2019 - an island, which houses a hotel, a restaurant, a karaoke bar and two swimming pools, which is kept afloat by 700,000 bottles and other plastic waste. The facilities have solar-powered electricity and receive freshwater supply from the mainland since the lagoon is very close to Ivory Coast's capital, Abidjan.

The Seasteading Institute, founded by Patri Friedman and Peter Thiel, has been pioneering efforts to create sustainable, self-sufficient floating communities. The challenges associated with constructing and maintaining floating cities are substantial. Factors such as engineering, infrastructure, energy generation, waste management and governance all need to be carefully considered and addressed. Environmental impact assessments and sustainable design principles are vital to ensure minimal disruption to marine ecosystems.

Nonetheless, with advancements in materials, construction techniques, renewable energy and innovative urban planning, floating cities may gradually transition from concept to reality. Researchers, architects, engineers, and policymakers are actively exploring these possibilities, aiming to create floating communities that are both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.

Sinking cities

Coastal cities around the world are facing a critical problem as they sink at alarming rates due to various factors like excessive groundwater extraction and the weight of built infrastructure. To combat this issue, one potential solution being considered is the concept of floating cities, provided they can be built without causing harm to the ocean's ecosystem. Land subsidence, or sinking, has long been a concern, with coastal areas becoming highly susceptible, especially with the rising sea levels. For instance, parts of Jakarta, Indonesia are sinking at a rate of 4.9cm per year.

The gravity of the situation has garnered global attention, particularly because the most vulnerable areas to sinking are megacities that accommodate nearly 20% of the world's urban population, according to Dafforn in a report published in The Star. 

These areas are also highly susceptible to the effects of rising sea levels. The urgency for viable solutions becomes even more apparent when considering that almost half of the 48 largest coastal cities are sinking at a rate exceeding 10mm per year.

Traditional approaches have primarily focused on coastal defences and sea barriers, utilising either hard engineering or nature-based solutions. However, when subsidence combines with rising sea levels, even the most conservative projections pose significant challenges for these engineering efforts. While concepts like sponge cities, designed to absorb and reuse water, have been proposed as potential solutions, they mainly address intermittent flooding rather than the gradual rise of sea levels and the eventual permanent inundation.

Factors such as engineering, infrastructure, energy generation, waste management and governance have to be addressed for floating cities.

The escalating reality of the climate crisis, which has already displaced over 40.5 million people, necessitates the relocation of individuals, businesses, and even entire cities to safer regions. When inland movement is not a feasible option, the concept of floating cities emerges as a potential way to tackle issues of over-development, sea level rise, and land subsidence.

As coastal cities continue to face the threat of sinking, the idea of floating cities presents a possible solution to address the challenges posed by over-development, rising sea levels, and land subsidence. However, careful consideration must be given to ensure that these floating cities are developed in an environmentally sustainable manner, avoiding any detrimental impacts on the delicate ocean ecosystem.

It is important to note that the development and realisation of floating cities will likely take considerable time and investment. However, as technological advancements continue and the need for alternative living solutions grows, it is plausible that floating cities could become a viable option in the not-too-distant future.

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