Maldivian consultants involved in the floating city project have said the public viewing of the model houses is being delayed due to weather conditions.
Speaking to PSM News, Consultant Ibrahim Riyaz said that heavy rain has prevented the homes from being shown to the public. He said the model houses were built on the lagoon of an island 45 minutes away from the floating city development area. He said that the model will include a road with houses and trees on both sides, adding that individuals interested can sign up for the public viewing online and that transportation will be provided by the contractor.
Additionally, Riyaz said the weather has reportedly cleared and the houses will be moved to the development area next week and will be opened to the public within three days. In addition, he said the houses will be stabilised using anchors and will not be affected by the weather after the installation.
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 released 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 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 a brain coral and consist of 5,000 floating units including houses, restaurants, shops, and schools, with canals running in between them.