A different way to create land – Mega- Float

Land reclamation refers to the process of creating new land on ocean, riverbed and lake beds. Land reclamation usually is preferred for expansion of cities or large construction projects such as airport or harbour. The traditional methods for land reclamation are usually non-environmental friendly. For example, Hong Kong is a city that had land reclamation project during the development.

The land reclamation has created large environmental impacts to the ocean in Hong Kong. It would further pollute the ocean while affecting the food chain of the marine animals. It would also create permanent damages to the ocean bed. Land reclamation also requires a large amount of cost, therefore, land reclamation is restricted and uncommon in the current state.

The technology of ‘Mega- Float’ is introduced in Japan in 1995. Mega-Float is an advanced way create land while minimising the damage and reducing the cost. Mega-Float is a very large floating structure (VLFS). Mega- Float is made out of 4 components: prefabricated land component, breakwater, stabiliser and a bridge that connects to the existing land. Mega Floats are able to support construction on top and also take-off and landing for aeroplanes. In contrast to the traditional method of land reclamation, Mega- Float has no restriction to a specific location. It takes less time to be constructed since land components are prefabricated. It is also lower in cost and less environmental impact on marine animals and water quality.

I think that although Mega- Float provides an answer for land reclamation, however, the sustainability issue behind would be land reclamation itself. Land reclamation is used for a few situations such as beach restoration, its main purpose is to provide more land for developing cities around coastal areas. I think that in the development of a sustainable city, any form of land reclamation should be avoided unless it is necessary. There are many other ways to maximise the usage of land through urban planning, compact city and smart cities.

Shipbuilding Research Centre. (2003). Introduction of Mega- Float. [Online] Available at: http://www.srcj.or.jp/html/megafloat_en/menu/top.html[Accessed 25 March 2017].

Fig1. Shipbuilding Research Centre. (2003). Introduction of Mega- Float. [Online] Available at: http://www.srcj.or.jp/html/megafloat_en/menu/top.html[Accessed 25 March 2017].