Abstract
Developments of multi-use floating islands are accelerated by an increase in offshore activities and pressing needs to create extra space in coastal regions for the surging population. The Horizon 2020 EU funded research project Space@Sea developed a modular floating island concept for offshore multi-use applications and examined current legal issues and barriers concerning its development. In this paper a floating island is defined to be “an artificially created floater, or set of connected floaters, moored to the seabed of which the topside can be used for activities similar to activities on land”. This paper aims to delve into governance issues like the assignment of authority on a multi-use floating island and the shift from regulating offshore living for working purposes to living purposes, as well as maritime law and property law (using the Netherlands as case study). Within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) a coastal state can establish, locate, and govern the floating island. For the high seas the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the most probable organization to initiate a discussion on settlement of floating islands. For each activity on the floating island, limiting criteria regarding motions as well as safety rules and regulations need to be established. Industry and housing will have completely different requirements regarding safety which will not be possible to fit in a one size fits all regulation. This case study shows that current Dutch property law prohibit the division of ownership of buildings built on floating objects. They can only be owned together as one object. For urban expansion, future inhabitants will want to have the possibility to buy property, requiring an amendment of current property law. It is to be expected that other countries will have similar or additional governance challenges. The Space@Sea project has developed a technical solution for floating islands which have identified barriers for multi-use in the rules and regulations described in this paper. The paper urges the responsible institutions and stakeholders to take on their roles in overcoming these barriers.
Highlights
Most of the world’s population lives in coastal areas where space has always been a commodity; available land has become increasingly limited and the soaring property prices urge cities to seek alternative solutions for urban expansion
Within the current framework of rules, regulations and laws a floating modular structure supporting multiple activities is already possible, some rules, regulations and laws prevent this being an attractive option for some applications
The Horizon 2020 Space@Sea project has provided a technical solution for modular floating islands which can be the basis for the forming of rules, regulations and laws
Summary
Most of the world’s population lives in coastal areas where space has always been a commodity; available land has become increasingly limited and the soaring property prices urge cities to seek alternative solutions for urban expansion. A trend can be observed that more waterfront areas around the world resort to reclamation or repurpose large parts of existing urban space as the sea level rises due to global warming. There is an increasing interest to evaluate the merits and challenges for the use of ocean space. Offshore activities are expanding from the traditional oil and gas applications to renewable energy, aquafarming, transportation hubs, tourism, airports, and city extensions (Schultz-Zehden et al, 2018). These vary from relatively close to shore, to further offshore activities. Large multi-use floating solutions that synergize and contribute to efficient use of marine space have yet to be applied. The behavior of multi body interaction of many floaters together must be investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
