Floating Villages and Structures

Needs Address

Measures against erosion, storm surges, flooding, inundation

Adaptation effects

• Reduces vulnerability to flooding
• Enhances resilience, reducing mortality and protecting livelihoods
• Increases habitability of low -lying areas

Overview and Features

Houses, health centres, schools and other structures on boats with a bamboo base enables the structures to stay afloat on water and be anchored to more permanent structures or the shore. Developments in other adaptation technology enable access to clean water sources and energy through e.g. self-standing water filters and solar panels, respectively. Floating structures enable a coastal community whose land is regularly and increasingly inundated with water adapt to fluctuating flood levels. This technological approach can be applied at multiple scales, using different materials and levels of design sophistication, depending on needs. There are many examples of floating villages and structures in the Pacific Island countries, Bangladesh and Cambodia. 

Cost

Costs for materials and construction

Energy source

Energy needed for utility

Ease of maintenance

Requires ongoing maintenance, particularly reparation of floating mechanisms

Technology performance

• Structures may not be suited to fast onset and storm events – in these scenarios the same prevention measures may need to be taken as for those living on ground, in addition to extra protection for floating structures, which are likely to be further exposed
• Enables flexibility to fluctuating flood levels during slow onset change

Considerations

Shared structures may be challenged by community conflicts and power structures – this approach therefore relies upon community cooperation

Co-benefit, suitability for developing countries

• Can provide an alternative to overcrowding in urban spaces and in island countries facing threats from sea level rise.
• Only feasible for those who can afford or have support in purchasing the structures
• Affordable and low-tech approach, can be constructed from locally available materials

Information Resources

Campeau, C. 2011. Cambodia’s floating villages show how to rise above climate change. Caritas Internationalis. Webpage. Available at: http://www.caritas.org/2011/01/cambodias-floating-villages-show-how-to-rise-above-climate-change/ [21 January 2015]

Eureka. 2011. Adapting to climate change with floating houses? Science Daily. Available from: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110826111517.htm [21 January 2015]

Ross, 2013. Kiribati President To Build Floating ‘Lily-Pad’ Cities To Save Pacific Islands’ Inhabitants From Rising Sea. International Science Times. Available at: http://www.isciencetimes.com/articles/6066/20130916/pacific-island-floating-country-kiribati-global-warming.htm

Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, n.d. Improving the Life of Waterside Communities. Available at: http://www.shidhulai.org/