Topic: Underwater Cities
Executive Summary
This paper seeks to
understand the need for construction of underwater cities, the feasibility of
such construction and the viability of adoption of this alternative underwater
living method in the future with the aim of looking at this as an solution to worsening global warming levels. To explore these three issues, this paper will
look at the purposes of underwater cities, the historical development of these
cities and how they have come to the level that they are today. It will also
argue the case for Singapore to have underwater living as an alternative to
living above ground to deal with the future problem of global warming which is particularly dangerous for Singapore as we are an island. Lastly, it
will examine the future considerations that we have to take into account if we
eventually stay in underwater cities and how to target any problems that underwater
cities may pose.
Why I chose this topic
I chose this topic because
I was interested in looking at how underwater living could be an emergency solution for countries in low lying areas such as Holland and Venice. With global warming and sea levels rising, there
may be a significant need to learn how to adapt to living underwater which
while may not be an idea that will be fully implemented across countries, it
should be a emergency precaution used to help human populations to survive
should global warming continue to worsen beyond repair.For Singapore in particular, it is an island surrounded by sea and I wondered if there was the possibility of adopting the alternative solution of living underwater.
Background
- What is an underwater
city?
- Why
is there a need for underwater cities?
- Other purposes that
underwater cities have been used for.
Historical perspective
- The
famous underwater cities in the world that have been built and are
successfully hosting human inhabitants.
- How these underwater
cities effective were they in serving their purpose which can be applied
to the future development of such cities and what limitations they faced
which should be avoided or targeted.
- How
we have moved from underwater transport (submarines) to underwater living.
- How technological
development has helped people to refine the development of the
infrastructure of underwater cities and target any problems that there
might be.
Current situation
- Prevalence
of underwater cities
- Observations about the
distribution of underwater cities both where they are constructed and where
they are being located.
- Reasons behind the
increase in number of underwater cities.
- Whether Singapore can have
its own underwater city
Future Considerations
- Advantages
and disadvantages of such underwater cities
§
Advantages
·
Do not need to reclaim land
·
Alternative form of
sustainable living in a country that faces space constraints
·
New form of tourism for the
wealthy and the introduction of more extreme deep sea sports making for better
recreational activities.
·
May be used as a form of
emergency evacuation strategy or an alternative way of living should the
environmental problems above ground become too inhabitable for humans
§
Disadvantages
·
Lack of sunlight which is
necessary for human health
·
Higher cost of living under
water. This may later become the preserve of the rich and the poor would have
no choice but to live above ground and suffer from the increasing levels of
pollution
·
Inability of certain types
of people to stay in such accommodation such as the disabled and the elderly
until better and more convenient methods of deep sea transportation are
constructed
·
Ability of criminals capitalize
on vulnerabilities such as there being only one source of food, water or air, they could attack that
in acts of terrorism.
·
Possible inconsistency of pressurization.
If the pressure of the underwater city is not maintained at a constant level, 1
atm, the level of Earth’s atmospheric pressure, people may suffer from deep sea
sickness. Also if it is not constant with the water pressure of the water body,
then the whole structure could be crushed by the external pressure of the sea.
·
Risk of natural disasters
such as that of floods and tsunamis.
In 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami destroyed many houses near the
shore. If a tsunami of similar magnitude occurs, the underwater homes would be
beached and crushed with the force of the wave washing it upon the shore.
- Evaluation of the
feasibility of these cities especially in the Singapore context
Possible
Ø
The government is the one
that controls the use of the sea
Ø
Singapore is also a
research and development hub and we are likely to have the technological
know-how or be able to develop it such that underwater living is achievable.
Already, the Hilton Maldives Undersea Restaurant on Rangali Island was built
entirely offsite in Singapore.
Not Possible
Ø
Territorial considerations
may be raised as each country is allowed ownership over 200 nautical miles from
its shores. In countries that share the same water body such as the River
Mekong that crosses six countries including China and Vietnam, this could lead
to territorial disputes.
Ø
There is a limited amount
of underwater space
Ø
Provision and distribution
of food and water
Ø
Sources of electricity and
energy.
Ø
Removal of human waste
Ø
Environmental and
ecological impact especially on the marine life
Ø
Increase the likelihood of
natural disasters of the sea and the ocean
Ø
High cost of construction
Ø
Government and government
agencies coordination over the usage of the underwater space
3.
Suggested prototype for an
underwater city in Singapore
- Assessment of what can be
done to improve the infrastructure such that underwater cities can be
viable in Singapore.
Conclusion
Overall assessment of the
viability and adoption of underwater cities.
Bibliography
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