Maldives Floating City: World’s First Floating City and a Solution to Save the islands from Rising Sea Levels

The Maldives is known for its white beaches and coral sandbar which attracts many tourists. The Republic of Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, consists of 1190 islands. It is the flattest country on Earth because it has not ground surface of more than 3m and 1m land lying below the average sea level. The Maldives does not have much topography which leads to vulnerability to rising sea levels, scarcity in freshwater, and coastal flooding. 

And by 2100, if the rise in sea level is 1.5 feet (50cm) then 77% of the land will be lost by the country. If more rise in sea level then by 2085 the island will be overflow by floods. And to deal with this, on 13 March 2021, the government revealed the plan for the world’s first truly floating island city – Maldives Floating City (MFC). 

Maldives Floating City Structure

The world leader of floating infrastructure, the Netherlands-based Dutch Docklands has designed a blueprint for Maldives Floating City.

Maldives Floating City will be constructed in an area of 3 quarters of a square mile, or a 200 hectare. The residences will be arranged in a series of honeycomb-like hexagonal maze rows, similar to coral reefs. Developers also plan to add hotels, restaurants, schools, shops, and hospitals in the future. 

As we cannot stop the waves so we develop the structure in such a way that it will rise with the waves. This floating structure will also support other islands from high tides. MFC is just 10minutes away by boat from Male, Maldives capital. 

Aim to make Maldives Floating City(MFC)

• Self-sufficient and carbon neutral. 
• Freshwater storage will be provided for residents. 
• Floating solar blankets will take care of energy. 
• Agriculture fields will take care of food needs.

Statement of Mohammad Nasheed

Mohammad Nasheed, President of the Maldives from 2008-2012, Speaker of Parliament, and CVF Ambassador of Ambition explains Maldives Floating City does not require any land reclamation that means there is minimal impact on coral reef section, by Travel Weekly. 

He also mentioned that giant, new coral reefs will be constructed to act as a water breaker. And adaption to climate change does not harm nature but works with it as the Maldives Floating City proposes. 

Let’s hope this development plan will work and save Maldive from drowning. It is expected that by 2022 the project will begin and expected to complete in the next 5 years. If this project is successful then this plan will be used in other islands also.