In conformity with the declared convictions and principles of the ‘Strata City’, representing ‘ an Alternative Urban Design Paradigm, urban development in the marine environment of the coastal cities of the world, and particularly when integrated with their marine city fronts, is rapidly expanding as a very relevant and highly beneficial trend.
The trend is fueled by:
1.Drastically dwindling buildable land resources and the resulting exorbitant rise in the real-state values of coastal metropolitan areas.
2.Sharp decline of urban eco-environmental conditions on land.
3.Sharp deterioration in inter-metropolitan transportation efficiency.
All that in contrast to:
4.The blue nature resources and landscape expanses of the marine environment.
5.Development zone which is uninhibited by ‘heritage’ constraints and by paralvzina ownership of land and space patterns.
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A high-density urban development in the marine coastal zone might pose universallya very attractive economic enterprise and a promising solution to future urban growth dynamics.
THE ‘ISRAELI MARINE OPTION’ -THE BLUE AVENUE VISION’ (1988 -2006)
Entering the 21st century lsrael finds itself as one of the world’s most densely populated countries. With most of its population spread along its coastal stripe, the Israeli Marine Option will undoubtedly play a critical role in any future vision of its expanding habitat.
The suggested solutions envisage a chain of artificial islands, at a distance of one to two kilometers from the coast of the city fronts, (Because of geographical, eco-environmental and programmatic constraints).
To cope with the critical shortage of fill materials few design strategies were devised, resulting in conceptual development of few supporting technologies and infrastructures, environmentally sustainable and fill-materials free:
•Permeable Sponge Breakwaters, solved also as recreation public grounds.
‘Prefabricated modular (floatable) container platforms, capable of supporting densely built urban fabric, with interior volume spaces for services and infrastructures, ringed with peripheral quays and public open spaces.
Bridge Avenues, providing for inter-island transportation and traffic solutions with the city front and supporting usable private and public built assets and green sky promenades.
The modular container platforms will be spaced apart with ‘blue boulevard channels, 20+50m wide, occupying 40+60% of the overall reclaimed area and serving for marine traffic, recreation and as public marine open spaces.
The scope and potential of the Israeli (Mediterranean) Marine option may amount to the following:
1. Generation, on a chain of artificial islands, of 120+1 50km2 of buildable land resources for infrastructures and urban development, in the most critical (land-scarce) region, shadowing a combined length of 60+80km of the coast.
2. Generation of urban fabric space for (1,5+2,0) *106 people in 2050 and up to 3*106 people in 2100, and providing for various land consuming infrastructures, such as air- fields, ports, power- stations, industries, strategic storage, waste disposal, etc..
3. Incorporation of ~1 700km2 of first rate ‘watery nature’ and landscape resources, through the newly reclaimed urban space.
4. Generation of about 250+300km in length of piers and urban marine frontage.
5. Generation of 80+100km2 of protected water zone, along the city fronts to be developed as ‘blue central parks’, for marine transportation and sailing and general recreation activity.
The ‘sraeli Marine Option was presented in many Israeli and international conferences, public lectures, media interviews, exhibitions (in Israel and abroad) and supervision of research theses for doctoral and masters degrees. It made an impact on the Israeli national policy, concerning infrastructures development in the marine environment ( led by the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructures (2002- 4).
The research issue had sprouted some conceptual design ideas:
1. ‘Park on the waves’ – recreation facilities, activated by wave power (International Design competition – 1990)
2. Marine facilities, combining marine agriculture and recreation (with K.Segal – 1994 – 96).
3. Floating – Transportable Platforms for Mega-Sport (Olympic) Facilities.
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