The world’s first ‘floating city’ could soon be a reality… as developers release stunning plans for a resort in the Pacific Ocean
Developers hope to begin construction in 2019, after signing a deal with the government of the French Polynesia
THE world's very first floating city could soon be a reality - as developers release plans for a groundbreaking tourist resort in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
The US firm has signed an agreement with the French Polynesia's government, and hope to begin construction in 2019.
Construction experts at the Seasteading Institute have spent five years in trying to work out how to build 'permanent, innovative communities floating at sea'.
Rising sea levels pose a threat to the 118 islands which form the French Polynesia and now, , the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Seastanding Institute.
Further investigations into the economic, environmental and legal impact of the scheme are now due to take place.
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Randolph Hencken, executive director of the institute, said: "What we're interested in is societal choice and having a location where we can try things that haven't been tried before.
"I don't think it will be that dramatically radical in the first renditions.
"We were looking for sheltered waters, we don't want to be out in the open ocean - it's technologically possible but economically outrageous to afford.
"If we can be behind a reef break, then we can design floating platforms that are sufficient for those waters at an affordable cost. We don't have to start from scratch as this is a pilot project.
"They also have very stable institutions so we're able to work with a government that wants us there, that we have respect for and they have respect for us."
Randolph added that he was confident the project could benefit the French Polynesia's economy - and draw in a fresh wave of tourism.