As sea-level rise and land subsidence increasingly threaten coastal megacities, floating cities are emerging as a bold and sustainable adaptation strategy.
This insightful article by Assoc. Prof. Katherine Dafforn (Macquarie University), published by 360info, explores how floating urban infrastructure can serve as an alternative to hard engineering or retreat—if designed responsibly.
The piece discusses:
- Why conventional solutions like seawalls may fall short in the long term
- The promise of floating cities like Oceanix Busan, currently under development in South Korea
- The two main structural types: pontoons vs. semi-submersibles
- Ecological risks, including shading, habitat disruption, and light pollution
- Design considerations that could help minimize marine impact, from light-permeable materials to ecological restoration
The article highlights the importance of early collaboration with marine scientists and real-time research alongside prototypes to ensure floating cities don’t replicate the mistakes of traditional coastal development.
Read the full piece:
https://360info.org/if-your-city-is-sinking-why-not-make-it-float/