1. a perspective for human development in the 21st century
Barbara Dal Bo Zanon & Rutger de Graaf-van Dinther, Blue21
AMS Amsterdam- 29th May 2018
Floating production of energy and food
as opportunity for coastal circular cities

2. Many of the world largest
metropolitan areas are located in
coastal areas and river plains
Source: DeltaSync, 2017
Areas with flood risk
Rapidly growing areas
In 2030, 50% of the global
population will live within 100 km
from the coast
COASTAL AREAS | Cities

3. Biodiversity.sg
• 42% animal species
• 50% plant species
COASTAL AREAS | Ecosystems

4. Earthzine, 2010
Manila, Philippines
COASTAL AREAS | Rapidly growing cities

5. DeltaSync, 2012
CONVENTIONAL CITIES | Linear metabolism
CO₂
NUTRIENTS

6.  Rapid urbanization in vulnerable
coastal areas
 Preserve biodiversity
 Extreme weather events and
climate change
 Reduce emissions and increase resource
efficiency
 Anything else?
21st century urban challenges

7. LAND SCARCITY
Sources: UN 2013, UN 2012 (World Urbanization Prospects), DeltaSync 2013
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Worldpopulation,billions
Urban
Rural
Additional land requirement for 2050
Low scenario
(106 km2)
High scenario
(106 km2)
Urban area 1.5 2.8
Food production area 6.0 22.1
Biomass production area 3.4 4.3
Land degradation &
climate change impact
2.3 6.5
Total land shortage 13.2 35.7

8. AVAILABLE AREA:
LAND AND WATER

9. Source: Deltasync, 2012
CONCEPT | Closing CO2 and nutrients cycles

10. POTENTIAL OF FLOATING PRODUCTION FOR DELTA
AND COASTAL CITIES | Published study
1. What is the potential of
Floating Production (FP) for delta
and coastal cities?
o Nutrients
o CO₂ emissions
2. How can FP contribute increasing existing cities’ resilience in the
fields of food and energy?
o Local food
o Local energy
3. What is the impact of FP on a global scale?
o Space saved on land
o CO₂ emissions prevented

11. • Tidwell (2012), Aquaculture Production
Systems. Wiley Blackwell
• FAO reports on aquaponics
METHOD
Source: DeltaSync 2015
• FAOSTAT data on food supply
• Jönsson et al. (2004). Guidelines on the
Use of Urine and Faeces in Crop
Production. EcoSanRes
• Data on CO₂ emissions
• Borowitzka et al. (2013). Algae for Biofuels
and Energy. Springer.
• Sudhakar et al. (2012). Theoretical
Assessment of Algal Biomass Potential for
Carbon Mitigation and Biofuel Production.
Iranica Journal of Energy & Environment
• Gerber et al. (2013). Tackling climate
change through livestock – A global
assessment of emissions and mitigation
opportunities.
• FAOSTAT data on land use
MAIN SOURCES:

12. CASE STUDIES
Sources: rezon.org, dutchwatersector.com, hdtravelpics.com,
affordablehousinginstitute.org
Rotterdam Metro Manila
• pollution issues
• high population density
and growth rate
• high CO₂ emissions

13. NITROGEN (N) AND PHOSPOROUS (P) FLOWS
*Values expressed in percentage. Source: DeltaSync, 2017

14. POTENTIAL OF FLOATING PRODUCTION

15. CONTRIBUTION TO RESILIENCE
Source: DeltaSync 2017

16. IMPACT – LOCAL AND GLOBAL SCALE
Source: DeltaSync 2017
x12
x74
up to 9%
up to 26%
Efficiency compared to
global agriculture on land
Rotterdam
130 - 284 x
Metro Manila
189 - 355 x
(18 km²)
(168 km²)
(~3,800 km²)
(~47,000 km²)
Space
saved
Space
needed

17. Next research steps: Translate system analysis into design
Opportunities for architecture, urban and landscape design
1. What are the spatial (urban) characteristics of FPDs?
2. What is a possible path for development and expansion?
3. How can the new development
Interact with the ecosystem,
providing habitat and other
ecosystem services?
 Looking for funding, partner
and case study:
Personal PhD project

18. Source: Topsectors & Blue21, 2016
Vision 2050 – NL 100% CO₂ neutral, biobased & circular

19. Source: Ecoboot
From research to implementation: Building blocks
Source: NASA
Source: DeltaSync Source: Marinetek
Source: wastewateralternatives.com
Source: Aquaponics.blog
Floating breakwaterFloating wetlandsFloating buildings
Floating algae systemsHydroponicsFloating roads

20. Source: René de With
Blue21 mission: realizing floating cities with positive impact

21. Source: René de With
Floating Pavilion - Rotterdam

22. Source: DeltaSync 2010
Floating Pavilion - Rotterdam

23. Source: Olaf Janssen
Floating Houses – Harnaschpolder, Delft

24. Research on water quality/ecological impact of floating structures

25. Research on water quality/ecological impact of floating structures

26. Source: Blue21, 2017
Current projects - Floating Island in French Polynesia

27. Collaboration with the Seasteading Institute
Jan 2017
Agreement
with French
Polynesian
Government
Dec 2013
Seasteading
implementation
plan
Jul 2017
EIA for
floating
developm
ent in
French
Polynesia
Sep 2017
Concept
design for
Floating
Island in
Tahiti
May 2018
–
Crowdfunding based on
cryptocurrency

28. Source: Blue21, 2017
Floating Island in French Polynesia - Concept

29. Current projects – R&D of Multi-use offshore islands: Space@Sea

30. Current projects – Floating solar: INNOZOWA

31. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• A fundamental new approach to urban development is needed for the
challenges of the 21st century
• Floating city expansions combined with food production has the
potential to provide:
o local benefits as climate proof urban space, local food and biofuel
production, and the creation of ‘green jobs’
o global benefits as recycling waste and CO₂ emissions, preventing
nutrients pollution and reducing pressure on current fish stock
• Floating Production can significantly reduce the global land area that
coastal cities require to sustain their current food and fuel consumption
• To utilize the potential of Floating Production, implementation as well
as further research is needed
• Floating cities construction is part of a wider societal transition in which
governance is crucial

32. For more information
DeltaSync/
Blue21
T: +31 152561872
wwww.blue21.nl
Indymo
+31 (0)6 1630 8790
www.indymo.nl