Embracing a wetter future, the Dutch turn to floating homes
Faced with worsening floods and a shortage of housing, the Netherlands is seeing growing interest in floating homes.
A floating community in the Netherlands lies on the coast in the IJburg section of Amsterdam. The houses are secured to large steel pilings with rolling collars that allow them to rise and fall with the water level, and sway slightly in strong winds. Each home has a small dock, communal walkways, and flexible utility connections. They are also required to be in balance, with heavy components, like kitchens and bathrooms positioned carefully on the lower floors for stability.
George Steinmetz / Getty Images News / Getty Images North America
Shira Rubin
Published
Jan 04, 2022
Topic
Climate + Buildings
This story was originally published by Yale Environment 360 and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
When a heavy storm hit in October, residents of the floating community of Schoonschip in Amsterdam had little doubt they could ride it out. They tied up their bikes and outdoor benches, checked in with neighbors to ensure everyone had enough food and water, and hunkered down as their neighborhood slid up and down its steel foundational pillars, rising along with the water and descending to its original position after the rain subsided.
“We feel safer in a storm because we are floating,” said Siti Boelen, a Dutch television producer who moved into Schoonschip two years ago. “I think it’s kind of strange that building on water is not a priority worldwide.”
https://grist.org/buildings/embracing-a-wetter-future-the-dutch-turn-to-floating-homes/
