Designer floating homes may be the future as sea levels rise
Are these floating houses in Amsterdam’s IJburg district the shape of things to come? Check out Floating Futures, a new series by photojournalist Alessandro Gandolfi
Amsterdam's floating homes, as captured by photojournalist Alessandro Gandolfi, may provide a glimpse into the future as sea levels continue to rise. These innovative dwellings are already present in coastal regions of countries like the Philippines and Vietnam. However, affluent nations like the Netherlands, where over a quarter of the land lies below sea level and two-thirds is at risk of flooding, are now considering similar solutions.
The IJburg district, a high-density community in Amsterdam, houses 158 waterfront homes, 55 of which are designed to float. Residents at IJburg connect via bridges and roads, with most properties accompanied by an outdoor boat instead of a traditional car. Gandolfi's photo essay emphasizes that raising sea dykes is no longer sufficient to combat the increasing water levels.
These floating homes are not houseboats or modified vessels like those lining Amsterdam's canals. Instead, they are architect-designed residences meant to foster a sense of community. Built for sustainability, these homes feature rooftop solar panels and meticulous waste management systems. However, the most striking distinction between these homes and others lies beneath their watery foundations.
Written by urgent.news from New Scientist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
