Dynamic Cityscape

The consequences of recent global issues such as climate change, accelerating sea levels and overpopulation give rise to a new perspective within the continuous debate on sustainability and autonomy of complex urban systems. In this context, the dynamic cityscape project seeks to explore the potential of an adaptive and dynamic urban eco-habitat based on diversity and productivity for future civilizations in emerging natural territories.

This floating eco-habitat aims to enhance the living quality of future civilizations by adapting to predictable environmental changes and thriving for a symbiotic relationship with its immediate natural surroundings. The dynamic cityscape project proposes a modular fabrication and installation system which features morphological and functional flexibility on an urban scale as well as in a global context. The elements can be pre-fabricated, comfortably transported to the site and flexibly installed to generate manifold morphologies. This modularity allows high adaptability to emerging environmental conditions, as well as to individual needs of the cityscape inhabitants.

The network strategy for this urban cluster has been achieved by an agent algorithm which serves as an abstract interpretation of a specific behavior to demonstrate dynamism and fortuity provoked by attraction and rejection triggers within the immediate surrounding. The morphology appears as an urban topography generating areas of variable densities which are determined according to the cluster constellation, distribution of functions and environmental criteria such as orientation, geography, etc.

The floating cluster is an eco-friendly, innovative system which is accessible and connected to the remaining city via shipping routes. The inhabitable core has housing capacities for a population of approximately 10.000 inhabitants which are supplied by the surrounding infrastructures. Renewable energy is provided by algae-based bioreactors and wave power generators, whereas various aquapond greenhouses featuring aquaponic system produce fish and vegetables. In addition, the bioreactors are able to process the accumulated waste water volumes, releasing potable water. Along with the fresh water stored by rain water collectors it is distributed within the inhabitable core. The cityscape project aims to extend existing cities such as Amsterdam with inhabitable floating agglomerations serving as autonomous housing communities.

Dynamic Cityscape
Project by: Luisa Roth
Faculty: Vicente Guallart
Assistant: Ruxandra Iancu Bratosin
Developed at: IaaC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
Year: 2016