Words by Smiley Team
Floating cities of futuristic architecture powered by the sun’s rays may seem like material from a sci-fi movie. But such a vision will soon become a reality thanks to a team of engineers and architects behind OCEANIX Busan, a floating island that is resilient to climate change.
Located off the coast of the South Korean city of Busan, the island will sit atop floating platforms. It will be carefully constructed to withstand storms and accelerating sea level rises predicted to occur over the next decade.
“The design is anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, channelling the flows of energy, water, food and waste to create a blueprint for a modular maritime metropolis,” its designers explained.
The extraordinary island will feature urban farms to cater for plant-based diets, renewable energy and sustainable water systems. On the surface of three main platforms, plants will grow that naturally cleanse pollution in the sea.
Three neighbourhoods will occupy the platforms with distinct purposes: accommodation, lodging and research. This third will feature a co-working and maritime research hub offering green jobs to the local community.
Spread across each neighbourhood, low-rise buildings constructed using advanced technology will balance the weight evenly to resist turbulence from storms and wind.
On the water’s surface and on the rooftops, solar panels will supply neighbourhoods with green energy. Temperature-controlled gardens will allow residents to cultivate food and offer them shelter in the depths of Busan’s freezing winters.
“We are learning from nature and people alike,” the designers said. “The hexagons central to the platform design are informed by the ability of bees to make efficient use of space using little resources. We learn from sustainable initiatives around the globe and existing communities living and thriving on the ocean.”
VOLUNTEER: If you’re interested in helping to build renewable energy for communities in London, volunteer for renewable energy charity Repowering.
GO GREEN: To install solar panels yourself in the UK, find out how you might be able to do so with the help of non-profit Solarsense.
