This document discusses a perspective for human and ecological development in the 21st century through floating cities and urban water-based development. It summarizes research on using floating structures for food production, housing, infrastructure, and other urban functions to accommodate future population growth without using additional land area. Floating cities could be a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy. Several pilot projects in the Netherlands demonstrate the building blocks and implementation process for floating urban development. Further research is still needed but the technology exists to pursue faster implementation. Governance will be crucial for transitioning to floating cities as part of a wider societal change.
14. • Tidwell (2012), Aquaculture Production
Systems. Wiley Blackwell
• FAO reports on aquaponics
14/18 |
METHOD
International Water Week 2015 | Amsterdam
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:
15. 15/18 |
CASE STUDIES
International Water Week 2015 | Amsterdam
Sources: rezon.org, dutchwatersector.com, hdtravelpics.com,
affordablehousinginstitute.org, indosurflife.com, qz.com
Rotterdam Manila Jakarta
• pollution issues
• high CO₂ emissions
• high population density and growth rate
16. 16/18 |
NITROGEN (N) AND PHOSPOROUS (P) FLOWS
*Values expressed in percentage. Source: DeltaSync, 2015
International Water Week 2015 | Amsterdam
17. 17/18 |
POTENTIAL - FOOD AND BIOFUEL PRODUCTION
Source: DeltaSync 2015
International Water Week 2015 | Amsterdam
18. 18/18 |
CONTRIBUTION TO RESILIENCE
Source: DeltaSync 2015
International Water Week 2015 | Amsterdam
19. 19/18 |
IMPACT – LOCAL AND GLOBAL SCALE
Source: DeltaSync 2015
International Water Week 2015 | Amsterdam
3,800 km² 46,900 km² 42,200 km² Total agricultural land saved
globally
1,500 km² 15,000 km² 14,800 km² CO₂ sequestration space saved
220 x 210 x 220 x Total efficiency of FPDs
2,300 km² 31,900 km² 27,400 km² Agricultural land saved
139 x 146 x 146 x Efficiency compared to global
agriculture on land
46. INDYMO – Monitoring water quality
Visuals – Life under floating platforms
Insight into the aquatic environment.
The type of fish and aquatic organisms present and
bio-diversity, are indicators of the ecological state of
water bodies.
49. A fundamental new approach to urban development
is needed for the challenges of the 21st century
Floating city expansions combined with food
production can accommodate future urbanization
without sacrificing land.
At the same time this strategy is both climate
adaptation and mitigation.
Technology is there. Research needs to be done
parallel to fast implementation.
Floating cities construction is part of a wider societal
transition in which governance is crucial
Conclusions
50. For more information:
Dr. ir. Rutger de Graaf-van Dinther
T: +31 152561872
C: +31 616308790
E: rutger@blue21.nl
www.blue21.nl
www.indymo.nl
www.hogeschoolrotterdam.nl