China Floats Plan for City on Water
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014
Out to preserve dwindling landmass amid a burgeoning population, designers in China have proposed a new city on the water.
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| AT Design Office |
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A floating city off China's coast would feature green space, underground tunnels for roads and walkways, and a hotel. Additional images and information on the design are available here. |
The project, “Floating City,” is a floating island with an area of four square miles, AT Design Office announced in a press release.
The design involves a series of prefabricated hexagonal modules that “tessellate” to create necessary infrastructure for the city, according to a report in Dezeen.
City Features
Features of the science-fiction-like concept include:
- A network of yachts and submarines;
- Underground tunnels for roads and walkways;
- Floating hotel;
- Entertainment complex;
- Green spaces (both above and below the water);
- Farms and hatcheries;
- Rubbish collection facilities; and
- A massive cruise dock.
Reports say the China Communications Construction Company, a massive infrastructure concern owned by the Chinese government, commissioned the design concept.
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| AT Design Office |
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“Environmental impact and the improvements of health and social conditions for human habitat should be the main concerns of new urban design and development,” according to AT Design.   |
The CCCC is no stranger to underwater development. The company recently built a 31-mile cross-sea bridge (to connect Hong Kong, Zhuha and Macau in Southeast Asia) that features an artificial island to support cargo, inspection and passenger clearance facilities for the mega-bridge.
Reports say a Chinese investment company is reviewing the “Floating City” proposal for a possible small scale project next year.
Floating Architecture on the Rise
Rising sea levels have inspired many architects and urban planners around the world to consider aqua-architecture.
This report highlights a few of the visions of the Dutch firm Waterstudio.NL. The firm's owner, Koen Olthuis, is described as a leader in floating architecture. He recently gave a TEDX talk in which he discusses the "Top 10 Trends Torward Floating Cities."
Tagged categories: Architecture; Color + Design; Design; Energy efficiency; Green building; Sustainability
