Topic-3:
Float Habitat As An Alternative For Land Reclamation
Abstract:
Since 1900, the global average sea level has risen by approximately 15-20 cm, a rate much faster than historical averages. This rapid increase is largely
attributed to human-induced climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels and the resulting increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Bangladesh, China, India and the Netherlands were singled out by the UN in 2023 as being at high risk from rising sea levels, with nearly 900 million people
living in low-lying coastal areas in acute danger.
The country I call home could disappear completely by the end of this century
— swallowed by the rising seas.
A stretch of severely eroded beach in Dhiffushi island. Local authorities estimate that over 200ft of beach have been lost in the past few years alone and that
10-20 coconut palms die on the beach yearly due to sea level rise. Dhiffushi, Maldives, October 2021
Like Maldives there are many island which are sinking to increase in water level such as Solomon Islands, Tuvalu
Islands, Ghoramara Islands, Caribbean islands, fiji Islands, Marshall Islands etc.……
Cultural, tradition, flora, fauna, and most importantly, their homes are all slowly fading with time, just like the island
they live on.
Maldives island It is not just the islands that are affected, Rising seas could affect three times more people by 2050, threatening to all
but erase some of the world's great coastal cities and islands.
Many major cities are at risk of flooding due to rising sea levels, including:
Mumbai, India
Has experienced the highest increase in sea levels in India, and is projected to see a rise of 76.2 cm by 2100
Bangkok, Thailand, New York City, Miami, Florida, Ho Chi Minh City.
Mumbai city
Can human life live with life below the water?
Core issues due to rise in sea levels Main objective and missions Why build on water?
• Rising sea level Major focus of the project is to 70% of the planet is water, and sea levels are rising at an alarming
• loss of culture include sustainable elements, self- rate. Relocating is not the best option because their culture is
• disappearance of Islands sustainable, human centric, disaster going to disappear and they will be forced to live as refugees.
• Diminishing of flora and fauna resilient, modular housing, liveable Additionally, rising water will affect practically every corner of
• No alternative solution houses. the Earth at some point.
Can oceans become the next land What are the main amenities Coming back to the question Can human life live with
to build homes ? that can be provided? life below water ?
Instead of moving to land, can we find a • Food(crop planting) • yes it is possible as there are many implementations started
way to live on/around the water?. Living • Residences over the world . Also it will be more advanced in future
in water was always an utopian concept, • Animal shelter generations
but since human technology has evolved • Water supply
over time, it can now become the • Energy source • Living on water can be both a practical solution to
implementing technology for the future • Industries environmental challenges and an opportunity to experience
generation. As humans are more capable • Hospital a unique lifestyle.
of adapting and changing/evolving, it can • Markets
become a base for the future. • Connectivity spaces • It's a fascinating intersection of architecture, engineering,
• Recreational spaces and sustainable living for areas at risk from climate change,
• Educational building water-based living offers a unique and potentially life-
• Safety buildings saving alternative.
Literature case study
Floating Farm Dairy / Goldsmith Company Floating Houses in IJburg New BIG-Designed Neighborhood to
Activate Aarhus’ Waterfront
The Floating Farm Dairy is a compact and logically The Netherlands has a history of living close Each of the seven buildings will be
stacked structure that merges technical installations, to water and of coping with its caprices. That unique, ranging from low- to high-rise
storage, processing and production in a singular entity. means living on land protected by dykes, on structures, and will include a private
Three connected concrete pontoons house the production mounds, on shore or floating. courtyard for residents. Pockets of new
of fruits (ingredients for yogurt), rain- and wastewater public spaces will intertwine the
recycling and additional installations. Only recently have floating homes been structures throughout the plot as they
On the upper factory floor combines milk and yogurt eligible as a significant solution to Holland’s meander towards the waterfront
processing, feeding system, manure handling and retail. modern housing needs. Canals with promenade, which will connect
The covered cow garden will house 40 cows that will be houseboats are of course a familiar sight in residents to an existing boat harbor,
supported by a manure cleaning robot and a milking Dutch cities and one may find the occasional nearby town square (Nikoline Kochs
robot along with various elements regarding animal floating hotel or restaurant. But these are Plads) and the city center.
welfare like the centrally placed ‘green columns’ that always individual units and bear more
ensure cooling. The cantilevering floors and roof address resemblance to boats than to houses.
the multi-level agricultural hub, and articulate its
architecture.
Literature case study
Oceanix city big architects EFFEKT and MAST Reveal Gateway to
Denmark’s Largest Marine Nature Park
The Oceanix City is a part of UN-Habitat’s SØMÆRKET is inspired by historic
New Urban Agenda, which has collaborated seamarks, specifically ornate wooden
with the most prestigious institutes like MIT structures once used as navigation aids
Centre for Ocean Engineering, Mobility in along Denmark’s coasts in the late 19th
Chain, Sherwood Design Engineers, Centre for century. This platform celebrates Danish
Zero Waste Design, Transsolar Klima maritime history while introducing a new
Engineering, Global Coral Reef Alliance, typology of floating educational spaces,
Studio Other Spaces, Dickson Despommier, serving as a national park icon. The
etc. for exploring the pros and cons of building platform, moved by a tugboat between
a floating habitat and finding remedies to the three locations along Little Belt, offers an
issues faced. The platforms on which the immersive experience for school groups,
neighborhoods are being built are buoyant and tourists, and the public. Additionally, it
can resist the currents of the waves, the force provides new access points for kayaking,
of the winds, and can also withstand extreme swimming, diving, and fishing, while
climates. They are mobile and can be allowing visitors to delve into the strait's
transported from one place to another. natural and historical narratives.
