The Floating City - Individual Video

In the future global sea levels are expected to rise. Dubai is a relatively new city, and one which potentially will be short-lived if water invades. Dubai was first formed following the discovery of oil, and its oil platforms may be key in its future survival. Scientists predict sea levels could reach 60m inland. Currently there are several oil platform types used around the world, which are determined by ocean depth. In shallow water (5-50m), submersible or floating platforms are used. In deeper water (up to 120m), a jacked rig is used. Both types use flotation, and with unpredictable climate change a floating city is the best possibility to ensure Dubai´s survival.  

The conversion of disused oil platforms into liveable cities is a radical idea for a radical situation. One problem that the platforms face with the conversion is producing a comfortable domestic environment. Oil platforms are built for engineering, not permanent inhabitancy. Much of the structure inhibits open plan, and using traditional cantilevers can be material intensive, especially within a frugal future society.  Another aspect is water. Each platform will be surrounded by the deep ocean. Is there a way to convert the old oil facilities into a sustainable and comfortable living environment?

The proposed floating city will consist of three main parts: a submerged base with buoyancy tanks that transfer the sea water similar to a submarine, a middle living area and finally a water-filled top. The whole structure is kept fairly low to aid buoyancy stability and run using the local natural resources:

• ·         Wind       →turbines on the roof, aeroponics for food production
• ·         Sun          →solar panels on the roof, heat exchanger to reduce energy ...........................consumption
• ·         Wave      → wave energy captured below the city
• ·         Humidity → atmospheric water collector for potable water
• ·         Waste     → compost for farming, blackwater as fertiliser, biomass anaerobic    ...........................digester for fuel
• ·         Rain        →greywater for toilets and farming
• ·         Ocean     →algae reactor, ocean farm under city, desalination of ocean water to  ...........................potable water

The suspended roof like the other strategies uses scientific principals and local renewable resources. By using atmospheric pressure, the roof structure can be suspended from a body of water. This provides a large overhang, minimising material for structure. In the tank, sea water can be used, however if left contained would become stagnant and lead to water-borne disease. In order to overcome this the water needs to circulate. A gravity-fed system could be used, however an inclination could unbalance the system, causing the failure of the roof. Conventionally, a pump would be used to do this, however by using the principal of static electricity and a charging one end of the tank, the water could be drawn to one side for circulating. The added benefit of using water is its thermal properties, particularly its large thermal mass. In Dubai, the difference between day and night time temperatures is vast. During the day, the sun heats up the water tank and stores the heat, meanwhile the cool ocean water circulated cools down the occupants beneath. At night, the water releases this heat when needed. 

Catherine Bookham