Maldives plans to build a floating city to address the rising sea level threat

The Maldives partnered with a Netherlands-based architecture firm Waterstudio to build an eco-friendly floating city. The city is located in a warm lagoon next to the Maldivian capital, Male, and the International airport. 

The Maldives Floating City will have 5,000 low-rise homes that can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to Dezeen. All residences are floating and waterfront, with prices starting at $250,000. The Maldives also invites foreigners to buy a home here and obtain a residence permit. 

The development was inspired by the geometric shapes of a local coral known as brain coral. When viewed from above, the floating city resembles the human brain. The project includes residential buildings, hotels, restaurants, shops, a hospital, and a school. The construction is scheduled to start later this year and welcome the first residents as early as 2024. 

“Contemporary property developers have long eyed the planet’s unique “floating islands” – envying them for their utility, ingenuity, and sustainability. But translating these local dwellings into modern, scalable, commercially-viable real estate has always appeared beyond reach. Until now. This month Waterstudio – in cooperation with Netherlands-based Dutch Docklands and the Government of The Maldives – reveals plans for Maldives Floating City,” said the studio.  

More than 80 percent of the Maldives stand less than 1 meter above sea level, according to the NASA Earth Observatory. This makes the country particularly vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. Multiple reports from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey predicted that by 2050, almost 80 percent of the Maldives could be uninhabitable. 

Developer Dutch Docklands and the architects of Waterstudio promised that the project would be sea-level-rise proof. To stimulate the natural coral growth, developers will attach artificial coral banks to the underside of the city. Residents of the floating city will use canals for getaways and logistics. No cars are allowed on the islands, but you can use bicycles and electric noise-free scooters. 

Resources:

“Press Release,” (Maldives Floating City, 2022)

“Maldives reveals "world's first true floating island city" to cope with rising sea levels,” by Alice Finney (Dezeen, 2022)

“Maldives Floating City, a benchmark for vibrant communities,” (Waterstudio, 2022)

“Preparing for Rising Seas in the Maldives,” (NASA Earth Observatory)

“Facing dire sea level rise threat, Maldives turns to climate change solutions to survive,” by Daniel Manzo, Ginger Zee, Sohel Uddin, and Dragana Jovanovic (ABC News, 2021)