The document discusses the potential for floating production of energy and food to help address challenges facing coastal cities in the 21st century by increasing resilience, reducing emissions, and making more efficient use of limited space. Floating structures could help preserve coastal ecosystems while meeting growing food and energy needs through techniques like aquaculture, hydroponics, and algal systems. The document analyzes case studies and ongoing projects to assess the local and global impacts of implementing floating production at scale.
Floating production of energy and food as opportunity for coastal circular cities
1. a perspective for human development in the 21st century
Barbara Dal Bo Zanon & Rutger de Graaf-van Dinther, Blue21
AMS Amsterdam- 29th May 2018
Floating production of energy and food
as opportunity for coastal circular cities
2. Many of the world largest
metropolitan areas are located in
coastal areas and river plains
Source: DeltaSync, 2017
Areas with flood risk
Rapidly growing areas
In 2030, 50% of the global
population will live within 100 km
from the coast
COASTAL AREAS | Cities
10. POTENTIAL OF FLOATING PRODUCTION FOR DELTA
AND COASTAL CITIES | Published study
1. What is the potential of
Floating Production (FP) for delta
and coastal cities?
o Nutrients
o CO₂ emissions
2. How can FP contribute increasing existing cities’ resilience in the
fields of food and energy?
o Local food
o Local energy
3. What is the impact of FP on a global scale?
o Space saved on land
o CO₂ emissions prevented
11. • Tidwell (2012), Aquaculture Production
Systems. Wiley Blackwell
• FAO reports on aquaponics
METHOD
Source: DeltaSync 2015
• FAOSTAT data on food supply
• Jönsson et al. (2004). Guidelines on the
Use of Urine and Faeces in Crop
Production. EcoSanRes
• Data on CO₂ emissions
• Borowitzka et al. (2013). Algae for Biofuels
and Energy. Springer.
• Sudhakar et al. (2012). Theoretical
Assessment of Algal Biomass Potential for
Carbon Mitigation and Biofuel Production.
Iranica Journal of Energy & Environment
• Gerber et al. (2013). Tackling climate
change through livestock – A global
assessment of emissions and mitigation
opportunities.
• FAOSTAT data on land use
MAIN SOURCES:
12. CASE STUDIES
Sources: rezon.org, dutchwatersector.com, hdtravelpics.com,
affordablehousinginstitute.org
Rotterdam Metro Manila
• pollution issues
• high population density
and growth rate
• high CO₂ emissions
13. NITROGEN (N) AND PHOSPOROUS (P) FLOWS
*Values expressed in percentage. Source: DeltaSync, 2017
16. IMPACT – LOCAL AND GLOBAL SCALE
Source: DeltaSync 2017
x12
x74
up to 9%
up to 26%
Efficiency compared to
global agriculture on land
Rotterdam
130 - 284 x
Metro Manila
189 - 355 x
(18 km²)
(168 km²)
(~3,800 km²)
(~47,000 km²)
Space
saved
Space
needed
17. Next research steps: Translate system analysis into design
Opportunities for architecture, urban and landscape design
1. What are the spatial (urban) characteristics of FPDs?
2. What is a possible path for development and expansion?
3. How can the new development
Interact with the ecosystem,
providing habitat and other
ecosystem services?
Looking for funding, partner
and case study:
Personal PhD project
27. Collaboration with the Seasteading Institute
Jan 2017
Agreement
with French
Polynesian
Government
Dec 2013
Seasteading
implementation
plan
Jul 2017
EIA for
floating
developm
ent in
French
Polynesia
Sep 2017
Concept
design for
Floating
Island in
Tahiti
May 2018
–
Crowdfunding based on
cryptocurrency
31. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• A fundamental new approach to urban development is needed for the
challenges of the 21st century
• Floating city expansions combined with food production has the
potential to provide:
o local benefits as climate proof urban space, local food and biofuel
production, and the creation of ‘green jobs’
o global benefits as recycling waste and CO₂ emissions, preventing
nutrients pollution and reducing pressure on current fish stock
• Floating Production can significantly reduce the global land area that
coastal cities require to sustain their current food and fuel consumption
• To utilize the potential of Floating Production, implementation as well
as further research is needed
• Floating cities construction is part of a wider societal transition in which
governance is crucial