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Floating islands project will diversify Maldivian fame

Miadhu News, Abdul Latheef

Creating floating islands will bring much advancement to the country- Paul van de Camp

The CEO Paul van de Camp of Dutch Docklands of the Netherlands has said that the development of artificial floating islands, which will include a convention center and golf courses in Male’ Atoll will bring Maldives much advancements.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Paul said that this remarkable venture will not only benefit the investing company but would certainly bring a positive impact to the local economy and add a new assortment to the tourism industry. He also added that having thrilling and fantasy islands will be having a boost on the tourism of the worldly paradise.

Dutch Docklands CEO also said that this megaproject will diversify the Maldivian fame in the outside world apart from the economical benefits.

The Maldivian government last Thursday signed a contract with Dutch Docklands to develop five floating islands which will include a convention center and golf courses.

The government now have leased five shallows of Male’ Atoll for the project for a period of 5o years.

Designed by the world renowned award winning architect Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio.NL, the people who built the Citadel floating apartment complex, the renderings for the amphibious convention center island will appear depict star-shaped, tiered islands with indoor spaces hidden under lush green-roof terraces, complete with interior pools and beaches.

Paul said that he is certain that this environmental friendly artificial convention center island will attract the many international environmental conventions and conferences.

One of the shallows will be incorporated with 280 rooms in the shape of 4 rings while the other shallow will be built with state of the art golf courses which will attract untapped markets from around the globe. Having this enthralling golf course will be icing on the cake for Maldivian tourism, said Paul.

“This project will cost more than 500 million dollars. The government of Maldives will not have to spend a single cent for the investment. We have agreed for the project because we have full certainty that this project will be a huge success. We can market, its certain,” he said.

Paul said that the whole project will be completed in 2015. CEO of Dutch Docklands also said that the government of Maldives will hold a five percent share of Dutch Docklands Maldives Pvt Ltd.

Minister of Tourism Dr. Mariyam Zulfa told Miadhu Daily that this venture by the Dutch Docklands company of the Netherlands will be a visionary accomplishment of the government for the advancement of Maldives and the country’s tourism industry.

CEO Paul highlighted that the Dutch Dockland is a company offering the floating technology with years of experience and this deal would be a good investment to Maldives, especially to diversify the tourism industry.

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That’s an idea worth floating: The amazing wildlife haven built on water designed to combat urban pollution

Daily Mail, Graham Smith, Jan 2012

Wide open spaces in cities are becoming an increasingly scarce commodity as the world’s urban population continues to expand.

Now an architect has developed a floating park that is a haven for wildlife and will in turn address the rise in pollution.

Koen Olthuis, of Dutch firm Waterstudio, has unveiled the Sea Tree, a multi-tiered structure comprising of layered green habitats.

The water-based park will provide valuable living areas for birds, bees, bats and other small animals, bringing positive green effects to urban environments.

It will also extend underwater, providing aquatic creatures with an environment to thrive.

Designed for use in cities with large waterways, such as London and New York, the Sea Trek will not be accessible to humans.

Mr Olthuis came up with the concept because it is so difficult to add extra park zones to a city on land. Open space such as rivers, seas, lakes and harbours should instead be utilised, he believes.

He proposes using offshore technology similar to oil rigs to construct the Sea Trees and has even suggested that oil companies donate them to cities to show ‘their concern for a better city environment’.

The giant floating towers would be moored to the seabed with underwater cables; the height and depth of the Sea Tree can be adjusted depending on the location.

Mr Olthuis said: ‘Underwater, the Sea Tree provides a habitat for small water creatures or even, when the climate allows for it, artificial coral reefs.

‘The beauty of the design is that it provides a solution and at the same time does not cost expensive space on land, while the effect of the species living in the sea tree will affect a zone of several miles around the moored location.’

Waterstudio claims the structure will be fully realised within two years and that an undisclosed client has already expressed a keen interest.

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Inhabitat interview: Waterstudio’s Koen Olthuis on FLOAT!

Inhabitat: “World-renowned architect Koen Olthuis is the leading designer of floating structures. Recently, he finished a new book, called FLOAT! read on for our exclusive interview!”

Inhabitat interview: Waterstudio’s Koen Olthuis on FLOAT!

Written by Inhabitat, Bridgette Meinhold

World-renowned architect Koen Olthuis is the leading designer of floating structures — he has built a number of floating houses all over the world and has designed for the likes of Dubai and other metropolises. Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio and David Keuning of Mark Magazine have also authored a book, called FLOAT!, which is a compendium of his knowledge on floating architecture. He details historical projects, discusses the practical uses for floating architecture, explores scenarios for a future world with higher sea levels, and rallies behind sustainability as a necessity for future development on the water. In between his busy travel schedule, Koen was able to take some time to answer a few questions about the future of hydrocities and building on the water – read on for our exclusive interview!

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