A floating city is a type of city that will float on water and is designed to protect people from rising sea levels. In fact, these cities may be able to serve as refuges from climate hazards. They are also eco-friendly. The cities are powered by electricity and produce their own freshwater. However, there are a few obstacles to the development of these cities. These include social, economic, and cultural barriers.
This innovative concept has been a longtime goal for property developers. Whether it be on cruise ships, ocean freighters, or barges, a floating city could be a way for humans to live on the water. It would be a safe and affordable alternative to land-based communities.
Although it’s still a long way off, it’s possible that someday, we’ll be living in floating cities. One company is working on a project to build a floating city in the Maldives archipelago. There are plans to have the city anchored in a turquoise lagoon. By 2027, the city will be completed and it will be accessible to visitors and residents by boat.
The city will be constructed by a company called Samoo Architects & Engineers, owned by Samsung. In addition to its floating structures, it will also have a number of features. For instance, it will be able to collect useful gases from the water and extract them for use in its buildings. It will also be able to pump cold water from 700 meters deep to cool its buildings.
Floating islands are already used in some countries, such as the Netherlands, to make aquaculture ponds. But the technology behind these types of projects has yet to be perfected.
Some researchers believe that, by the end of the century, the number of people at risk of dying from rising sea levels will reach 800 million. According to the C40 network, which is composed of global cities that are taking action on climate change, the cost of this problem will be $1 trillion.
As part of this effort, the UN-Habitat has taken steps to study the feasibility of building floating cities. A day-long conference was held to explore the concept. The director of the UN-Habitat believes that the key is innovation.
Oceanix City is one of the companies that are researching this type of technology. Their design involves 4.5-acre hexagonal floating islands that are hurricane-proof. The floating islands will be linked to the seabed by artificial coral banks. Each coral reef will stimulate growth in the area, thus providing the city with stability.
Other floating cities are being proposed for other planets. Some of these include Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. However, each planet is not a good choice for human habitation.
One of the biggest challenges to the development of a floating city is the cultural and political barriers. These obstacles can block the progress of the project. Ultimately, the UN-Habitat hopes that these kinds of cities can be an example of sustainable urban development.