Here’s a suggestion for those of us in areas threatened by coastal erosion that’s downright impractical for most, but nevertheless intriguing: building our own islands.
The Maldives has just signed an agreement with a Dutch company to construct an artificial island, somewhat similar in concept to the “map of the world” islands being constructed off the coast of Dubai. But while the Dubai islands are made up primarily of dredged sand and are intended for sale to private owners, the Maldives project will be a floating island owned by the government.
The floating platform on which it will be constructed can be moored so it doesn’t drift away or get shifted during storms, and the company that will build it, Dutch Docklands of the Netherlands, says marine life can attach to it—something like the claims made for old oil platforms. The platform itself will be made of concrete and foam, covered in sand to resemble a natural beach. Dutch Docklands says the design of the platform is such that it causes little disruption to nearby coastal areas.
Rising sea levels pose a threat to the Maldives, which is planning additional islands to accommodate residential units. The same company is also set to build additional islands off the coast of Dubai.