The World's First Floating City

What does a citizen have to do when the sea rises to alarming levels? Shall we all lift up our houses and start to live up in the air? Or maybe put our cities onto floating islands so they cannot be flooded? While both scenarios sounds like science fiction, the second one had persuaded the government of French Polynesia: in an effort to protect and enhance the country, the government has signed an agreement with non-profit Seasteading Institute in California to build the world’s first floating city.

The plan is to move the residents from the islands of the French Collectivity to the floating city and establish a sustainable community that avoids fossil fuels and destructive uses of the oceans.

With over 100 islands spread throughout five archipelagos in the South Pacific, French Polynesia is distinctively vulnerable to the raise of sea levels. Once the floating city will be built - the construction works are expected to start by 2019 - the floating islands will become a model to reproduce around the world to fight global warming.

The floating island is more than just a remodeling of a city, it offers another habitat for humans. This however leaves open questions, such as to what degree are these floating communities free according to the government? How would international waters play in the nationalities of floating citizenships? And of course, would it actually work out as promised in the plan?

It is inspiring that humans are able to turn technological advances in their favor, on a large scale. This eco-friendly system seems to be beneficial for us and our offsprings.

Sources: Science Alert, BBC. Image: Science Alert