Repurposing Jack-ups, Semi-submersibles and Superbarges into Offshore and Nearshore Settlements

Abstract

This research study is a collection of ideas proposing offshore and nearshore settlements responding to emergent need in the light of climate change. They are counterpoints to megacities with ecological footprints that are unsustainable. The continued depletion of natural resources leading to scarcity has resulted in displaced communities and prompted these research questions: What if we floated on sea instead of consuming land inefficiently? And could we use wave energy instead of nuclear energy? Could we replenish food supply and regenerate marine eco-diversity? How would our lives be shaped by new offshore settlements? What would we use as structures for shelter, farming scaffold and recreation? Floating cities emerged in the 1960s with Buckminster Fuller’s Triton City and Kenzo Tange’s Tokyo Bay Plan. Current manifestations include Vincent Callebaut’s Lilypad, the Seasteading Institute and the mile long Freedom Ship housing 50,000 people. As an alternative to these examples, three types of vessels in the marine industry, namely, the jack-up platforms, the semi-submersibles and the superbarges are repurposed as small footprint habitable propositions to accommodate 20% of a projected global population of 8.1 billion people in 2050. Floating settlements are spatially conceived with food and energy estimates for housing, recreation, education at sea, post-disaster healthcare and resettlement for nearshore deployment.

Research Team: Christopher Wijatno, Davis Wong, Chen Qisen, Roy Tay, Wang Yigeng, Sakinah Halim and Bek Tai Keng.