Living by water: An Alternative approach to urban densification and affordability

With predicted figures in the event of migration to the urban space in future, an alternative way of addressing housing needs may not be satisfied only with limited land left for development (HSB, 2023). Therefore, the solution lies within the river basins linearly sprawling across the edge of many riverside city developments. Although, floating architecture is not a new way of living in many parts of the world. Nevertheless, it is something which needs integration with traditional approaches in modern urban development (Ross & Paddison, 2016). Indeed, in context of the UK this could be a relevant alternative to the struggles with urban density, flood resistance and affordability factors by making use of the waterways.

Examples around the world

Some cities in Europe have already started floating developments, by integrating them to their planning proposals. Furthermore, the sites are carefully selected around abandoned harbors and inactive river fronts to address the housing needs. Thereby, elevating urban dynamics at the same time.

Fig 1: Urban rigger student housing, Copenhagen, Denmark                                      Fig 2: Communal spaces and courtyards creating sense of place, Urban rigger

Urban Rigger, Denmark is a student housing made with recycled containers floating on water basin. The design promotes the reuse of materials and highlighting ways of tactical urbanism at the same time to address the needs for a shorter time. Thereupon reinstall them in places where the need for housing arises. Hence, highlighting the possibility of flexible mobility in residential floating structures. (Ross & Paddison, 2016)

Likewise, the housing community in Ijburg and Laiden houses in Netherlands have developed the design with community driven development and energy minimalization as their core principles. Therefore, design strategies include using recyclable materials. For example cork as building material, in-between communal spaces with aquatic gardens, green roofs and courtyards. Henceforth,  nurturing the formation of an aquatic neighborhood. Above all, the energy crisis is addressed using solar panels, permeable walls and water as source of energy. Additionally, with waste water produced treated and converted into energy source for self-reliance to reduce the pressure on energy grid of the city. (Living on Water. Sustainable Housing in Amsterdam, 2020)

Fig 3: Timber Floating house cladded with low density insulated cork , Laiden                                                    Fig4:  Formation of new urban language with land and water, Laiden house 

Dimensions of sustainability

Initially, floating homes were subjected to criticisms at early stages. Primary concerns included resulting alteration of river bed and changes in course way of the river.(Ross & Paddison, 2016). Let us rather examine whether the advantages overweigh these arguments.

Fig 5:  Example of an efficient and their efficient working model of floating Dutch community 

Environmental dimension

1. Resilient Growth: Besides the high temperature levels and dissolved oxygen concentration at parts. They have rather minimal impact on water ecosystem. Consequently providing abundant scope of aquatic ecological development. (Lima, et al., 2022)
2. Water as a source and resource:  Using renewable sources leaving less pressure on the energy supply systems and moreover trading acquired energy to compensate excess dependence on city energy grid. (Living on Water. Sustainable Housing in Amsterdam, 2020)
3. New ecosystem on the river: Creation of new ecosystem in immediate surroundings with naturally occurring diverse aquatic landscape and community driven process of creating aquatic gardens. (Ross & Paddison, 2016)
4. Reduction of Carbon foot print:  Limiting the dependency on individual vehicles and land traffic, notably initiating use of car pools and shared mobility schemes.

 Economic dimension

1. Cheap Materials and modular construction: Materials involved in the construction are recyclables and vernacular materials with less environmental impact ,moreover requires high insulation properties that reduces energy levels to maintain temperature inside the house such as PCM and pre-fabricated construction for structures. (Moon, 2015)
2. Cost and speedy construction: Unlike traditional methods it takes half the time to complete construction due to sorted site conditions for construction. Likewise, due to its usage of prefabricated elements cut downs the cost of construction to a greater extent

Social Dimension

1. An extension of neighborhood: Possesses a potential to elevate the urban atmosphere in river side with attractive zones of interaction and community driven programs for creating a new urban language for riverside mixed use developments.

To conclude, Floating houses are not something to replace the current urban residential metabolism. At the same time, could be integrated to co-exist with current typologies aligning with affordability, climate change and energy scarcity.

References

HSB, M. c., 2023. Floating Houses May Be the Solution for Housing Crisis, Istanbul: Linkedin.

Lima, R. L. P. d., Dinther, R. E. d. G.-v. & Boogaard, F. C., 2022. Impacts of floating urbanization on water quality and aquatic ecosystems: a study based on in situ data and observations . In: Water and climate change. s.l.:IWA, pp. 1185- 1203.

Living on Water. Sustainable Housing in Amsterdam. 2020. [Film] Netherlands: Architour.

Moon, C., 2015. Applications of Sustainable Factors in Floating Architecture , Barcelona: Kunsan national university, Korea.

Ross, E. & Paddison, L., 2016. Floating homes: a solution to flooding, crowded cities and unaffordable housing. [Online]
Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/oct/29/floating-homes-architecture-build-water-overcrowding-cities-unaffordable-housing
[Accessed 19 MAY 2024].