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Abstract
One of the human-induced factors that cause climate change is; by releasing harmful gases into
the atmosphere creating a greenhouse gas effect and causing global warming. Climate change
due to global warming is progressing very rapidly and has different effects on ecosystems. The
most known effect is the rise of the sea level by melting the polar glaciers. The rising water
level also causes a number of risks to coastal environments in coastal areas cities. It is known
that approximately 50% of the world's population lives in coastal areas and the population in
these areas will increase further in the later processes. As this is the case, the number of
communities that were affected and will be affected by the water level is also increasing. On the
other hand, countries that are inadequate in the terrestrial terms have begun to develop
examples of alternative floating structures in the structural against climate change. There are
examples of floating building systems in many areas, such as floating houses, schools, airports,
commercial centers, marinas and they continue to increase. Because, while the mentality of
sustainability is taken advantage of today's natural resources, is to act by thinking that future
generations can benefit. Since the management and usage principles of water resources are also
important in this respect, sustainable approaches should be exhibited in the new floating
architecture approach of the future. Effective energy uses are construction methods that can be
easily applied in floating building projects. It is also relevant to sustainability, as it provides
energy-efficient use inside and outside the building. For this reason, this paper considers
sustainability principles related to floating structures, where examples will begin to be seen in
many areas in the future. It also provides an evaluation in terms of reflecting on floating
building projects by considering these principles. Some samples', sustainable and effective
energy use targets have been interpreted and the criteria that should be taken into consideration
have been tried to be emphasized.
Key words
Climate Change and Global Warming, Floating Architecture, Sustainability and Its Factors,
Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Floating Architecture Examples and Evaluation
1
PhD Student, Süleyman Demirel University, Department of Civil Engineering, Sustainable Building Materials and
Technologies Pr., Kaskelen, Kazakhstan, busracesur.pm@gmail.com
2
Prof.Dr.Eng., Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Civil Engineering Faculty, Structures Departement, Cluj-Napoca,
Romania, Cristina.Campian@dst.utcluj.ro
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1. INTRODUCTION
Global warming is one of the biggest problems of our time, where the effects of our damage
to nature are seen at the fastest rate. Climate change, which plays an important role in the
interaction of air, water and land ecosystems, has a great impact on living life. The fact that the
effects are experienced so fast also accelerates the process of the measures that need to be taken. In
this respect, for the purpose of the paper, it is necessary to first understand climate change and the
changes that will occur on the coasts. According to the SR1.5 final versions of IPCC, Climate; in a
narrow sense is usually defined as the average weather, or as the statistical description in terms of
the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to
thousands or millions of years. As defined by the World Meteorological Organization the classical
period for averaging these variables is 30 years. Climate change, on the other hand, is a change that
has been going typically decades or longer, where changes in the average or variability of climate
characteristics can be calculated by some measurement methods. This can be caused by the
destruction caused by humans in natural environments or by natural processes of change [1]. Or
according to Article 1 of the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); defines
climate change as: ‘a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity
that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate
variability observed over comparable time periods.’ [2].
Due to climate change and its impacts sea level increases cause the threat in coastal areas.
This has enabled the development of various floating construction projects. The aim of the paper is
to investigate the sustainability and effective energy uses of these floating building architectures.
Because, the damage we've done to our planet is great, and in the floating systems that many
examples begin to seen, it is necessary to think about the effects on ecosystems from the beginning.
In this respect, some selected samples have been examined by considering sustainability factors.
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• Climate models have very different effects between present-day warm values and global
warming of 1.5C and between 1.5 C and 2.5 C. These differences include increases in: changes
such as mean temperature variability in the land and ocean region, increased temperatures in most
inhabited regions, heavy precipitation in some areas and drought in some regions.
• On land, impacts on ecosystems, including species loss and extinction, are projected to be
lower at 1.5°C compared to 2°C.
• Limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C is projected to reduce increases in
ocean temperature and ocean acidity, while reducing risks to marine biodiversity, fisheries and
ecosystems in Arctic sea ice and warm water coral reef ecosystems.
• Climate-related health, livelihoods, food, water supply, human security and economic
growth risks are projected to increase with global warming of 1.5°C while increasing by 2°C.
• In terms of adaptation, it will be 1.5°C lower compared to 2°C. However, within 5°C
global warming there are limits to the adaptation capacity of human and natural systems.
• The change in sea level is expected to be about 0.1 m lower with global warming of 1.5°C
compared to 2°C by 2100, and will increase after 2100 depending on future emissions. At the same
time, sea levels rose by 11-16 cm due to climate change in the twentieth century [5,6,9] and are
estimated to rise by another 0.5 m this century even if the carbon emissions that cause global
warming are reduced [7,9]. If in the case of the early-onset Antarctic ice sheet is unstable, the level
is expected to exceed 2 m [8,9].
It is obvious that these effects of global climate change, such as rising sea level, tsunami,
high-water and increasing flood risk will be felt more in coastal cities. Because in 2030, it is
estimated that about 50% of the world's population will live within 100 km of the coast [10].
According to the World Bank Policy Research Study Report, the countries that will be affected by
this situation terrestrially; In Latin America and the Caribbean, the Bahamas is also expected to be
most affected by the 1 m rise in sea level, followed by Cuba and Belize. In the Middle East and
North Africa region, a large amount of Qatar's land area, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait are
expected to be affected. Here, Gambia and, to a small extent, Guinea-Bissau are expected to be
affected. The most severely affected by sea level rise in East Asia is Vietnam, with 16% of its land
area, followed by Taiwan, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines. In
terms of the population comes Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar. In South Asia, it is expected that
Bangladesh and then SriLanka and Pakistan will be affected [11]. The countries most affected by
climate change in Europe are Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, Estonia and then Belgium, the
Netherlands and Denmark [12]. It is known that some measures have been taken against the risks
such as floods, high-water, tsunami and tide in these countries, which are located in coastal areas
due to global warming and sea level rise. In coastal settlements, it is possible to see houses being
raised from the ground, or in developed countries coastal embankments, water barriers and floating
architectural examples.
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“Floating architecture can be defined as a building for living or working space that floats on
the water with floatation system, is moored in a permanent location, does not include a watercraft
designed or intended for navigation, and has a premises services (electricity, water/sewage, gas)
system served through connection by permanent supply/return system between floating building
and a service station on land, or has self-supporting service facilities for itself.” [13]. In other
words, floating architectures are structures with functions, sizes, materials, renewable technologies,
fixed or movable properties that vary depending on public or private uses. People's desire to be
close to water since the past and the use of water in various fields such as fishing, trade and
Transportation shows that the history of these floating structures goes back a long way.
Floating houses are known to have developed over the centuries. Also, the global history of
floating houses is very complex and it widespread almost all continents [14]. For example, through
centuries, fishing tribes in the province of Siem Reap in Cambodia have homes, and depending on
the water level can rise and also move. In addition to Cambodia in Southeast Asia, there are many
floating villages in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and China [15]. From the 17th century onwards
in Europe especially in cities like Holland-Amsterdam, it was stated people started to live on boats
and ships [16]. However these floating houses are different all over the world and it depends on the
technical characteristics of the buildings, architecture, material usage, climatic conditions and the
cultural structure of the region. The history of floating bridge examples dates back a very long
time, and the first floating bridge was built in ancient China by the Zhou Dynasty in the 11th
century [15]. Floating drilling platforms, one of the offshore building systems, have been used to
extract oil at a deeper level since the 1970s. [17].
The fact that the history of floating architectural structures dates back to the old times, that
it is serving different uses by changing today, is perhaps the future precursor of development of
new residential areas and different concept projects on the water. However, sustainability aspects
of these projects, which are so widespread and may affect aquatic ecosystems, need to be
considered.
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social equality, justice, liveability, equal access to public services, security, social capital, social
support, and cultural competence covers social sustainability issues. Social sustainability occurs
when the formal and informal processes, systems, structures and relationships actively support the
capacity of current and future generations to create healthy and liveable communities [21].
In order to provide ecological, economic and social sustainability factors in floating
architectures, the structure must be planned to premeditate from the design stage to its use and after
the end of its life. Renewable energy sources and impact energy use in floating structures are also
important in terms of sustainability. Renewable energy can be easily used in floating structure
examples, as the resource values which exist continuously and that the energy flow continues
without interruption, are practical and fast applicable systems. Especially renewable energy sources
such as sunlight, wind, rainwater recycling, wave energy and bottom current can be utilized, thus
ensuring ecological and economic sustainability.
Figure 1. Amphibious homes in Maasbommel [by Factor Architecten bv, Dura Vermeer, 23]
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Rotterdam's greenhouse gas emissions and fight against climate change. The building is heated and
cooled with solar energy and surface water. It can provide the vast majority of its energy needs. By
purifying own toilet water rest of it can be safely discharged into the surface waters. The ETFE foil
in their special domes is about 100 times lighter and thicker than glass. The body, which floats to
keep these islands light and unsinkable, consists of sheets of polystyrene foam [24].
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The realized and planned five cases of floating architecture were introduced and analysed in
terms of sustainable in Table 1. Features evaluated in terms of sustainability; use of new, light,
durable and different materials; discharge of waste water (grey water, rain water); prefabricated
and moved to different locations; self-contained systems in terms of electricity, water and sewage
treatment; use of renewable energy sources; energy efficiency; use of recycled materials.
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4. CONCLUSION
Floating structures has been emerging as a strong alternative to the sea level rise caused by
climate change and against threat happening in some coastal countries. The applicability of floating
architectures' sustainability features, which are expected to be seen more in the future, is very high.
These findings were found in the samples investigated. In particular, by selecting realized and
planned examples, it was observed that sustainability could be reflected in future studies and it has
been achieved that more can be implemented in urban projects. However, since the study was
conducted through article reviews and internet researches, the details of the material properties
(domestic, low energy, renewable, recyclable, non-toxic, light structure), daylighting and natural
ventilation could not be reached in the samples.
As a result, floating architectures are considered as sustainable and high-availability
projects for countries that are inadequate in coastal terms. However, the blocking of sunlight by
large floating architectures may pose a disadvantage for undersea ecosystems. In addition, the
presence of constantly wet atmosphere conditions may have negative effects on people and
buildings. Therefore, floating architectures should be considered in these respects.
LITERATURE
[1] IPCC: “Global Warming of 1.5°C”, Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, H.-O. Pörtner, D. Roberts, J.
Skea, P.R. Shukla, A. Pirani, W. Moufouma-Okia, C. Péan, R. Pidcock, S. Connors, J.B.R.
Matthews, Y. Chen, X. Zhou, M.I. Gomis, E. Lonnoy, T. Maycock, M. Tignor, and T. Waterfield
(eds.), 2018, 616, final versions of the Full SR1.5.
[2] UNFCCC: “United Nations”, 1992, 33, Date of access: 20.12.2019,
https://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/background_publications_htmlpdf/application/pdf/conve
ng.pdf
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[26] Arch Daily: “Jellyfish Barge" Provides Sustainable Source of Food and Water”,
https://www.archdaily.com/569709/jellyfish-barge-provides-sustainable-source-of-food-and-water,
Date of access: 24.12.2019
[27] Inhabitat: “Proposed floating island with pyramids connects the High Line to the Hudson River”
https://inhabitat.com/proposed-floating-island-with-pyramids-connects-the-high-line-to-the-hudson-
river/, Date of access: 24.12.2019
[28] Evolo: “Harvest City is a Floating Agricultural and Industrial City for Haiti”,
http://www.evolo.us/harvest-city-is-a-floating-agricultural-and-industrial-city-for-haiti/, Date of
access: 24.12.2019
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