AT Design recently unveiled its master plan for a sustainable, zero-carbon floating city. (AT Design) A floating city connected by underwater walkways and tunnels sounds straight out of science fiction, but fantasy might soon become reality in China. Architecture firm AT Design, with offices in London and China, recently unveiled a master plan for its enormous "Floating City" project, which is designed to be energy-efficient, zero-carbon, and self-sufficient. According to design site Dezeen, the project is commissioned by the state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). The city comprises several tessellated prefabricated hexagonal modules which form the floating islands spanning four square miles. It uses the same technology that built the 31-mile bridge between Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai, also built by CCCC. Islands and buildings will be interconnected by a system of underwater and above-water walkways and canals. People will have to take a yacht or ferry into this floating city, and no cars would be permitted on this zero-carbon emission land—submarines and electric vehicles are the core of transportation here. The press release says that recreational green spaces would be located both above and below the water's surface, while farms, hatcheries, and rubbish collection facilities would allow the community to produce its own food and sustainably dispose of waste. Dezeen also states that the proposal is now being reviewed by one of China's largest property investors. "China Transport Investment Co is reviewing the proposal and is likely to start to test this ambitious project from a smaller scale next year," said project architect Slavomir Siska.
