Maldivian consultants involved in the floating city project have revealed that a model of the houses will be available for public viewing later in September.
The agreement to build the floating city was signed between the Ministry of Tourism and Dutch Docklands. The contractor has hired Bison Maldives Private Limited to build the first homes in the floating city.
Speaking to PSM News, Consultant Ibrahim Riyaz said that heavy rain has prevented the homes from being shown to the public but that the weather is expected to clear up later in the month, according to forecasts from the Maldives Meteorological Service. He said that the model will include a road with houses and trees on both sides. He added that interested individuals can sign up for the public viewing online and that transportation will be provided.
The floating city is being developed in a lagoon near Aarah, Kaafu Atoll. Five lagoons have been leased to Dutch Docklands for the project, two of which have been re-leased to another company by the contractor.
The floating city project is the first of its kind to ever be developed in the world. The city will span a lagoon of 200 hectares, comprising of various establishments such as residences, shops, and hospitals. All of the establishments will be designed and developed to float on shallow water. The project is expected to cost about USD1 billion.
Dutch Docklands stated the floating city will be reachable within 10 minutes by boat from Male’ City and will be large enough to house 20,000 people. It will be designed in a pattern similar to brain coral and consist of 5,000 floating units including houses, restaurants, shops and schools, with canals running in between.