Why floating cities?

The immediate cause for the Floating City research programme can be partly found in current social issues, such as lack of space and the probability of global climate change.

Urbanization
In 2007 the number of people living in cities equals that of which are living in rural areas. Every day as many as 200.000 people move towards urban areas. Urbanization leads to greater vulnerability for natural disasters, because population and economic value become concentrated in confined areas, mostly in coastal areas and near rivers. The result is lack of space, leading to skyrocketing real estate prices and impeded traffic. Mixed-use developments are seen as a succesful strategy to resolve these spatial issues.

Climate Change
Although climate predictions and historical evidence of CO2 levels and sea level are still facing many uncertainties, most agree that humanity must have had a certain influence. Sea level rise, greater intensity and frequency of bad weather conditions, together with urbanization, will have mayor consequences for cities in low-lying delta areas.

Building on water a possible solution?
The issues that have been adressed are not solvable without a diverse spectrum of strategies, local and globally, taking into account transformation of economical systems and the future demands of the global population. Solutions will vary from place to place. Like every other solution, floating development cannot solve all issues, but it can be a means of expanding the spectrum of possible solutions. Urbanization and water retention can be combined, creating mixed-use developments and floating buildings can cope with sea level changes.

Maintain international market position
Since many centuries the Netherlands has been known for innovative water management deltatechnology. To maintain this international leading position in future, it is of great importance to keep realizing technically advanced projects.