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Oceanix Busan: A Floating City for a Changing Climate

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. usan-a-floating-city-for-a-changing-climate.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 19:07 GMT by BBC

Busan, South Korea - January 8th, 2026 - As coastal communities worldwide grapple with the increasing threat of rising sea levels and displacement, a groundbreaking project is taking shape off the coast of Busan, South Korea. Oceanix Busan, spearheaded by entrepreneur Ha Vinh Tho, isn't just a construction project; it's a radical reimagining of urban life in the face of a rapidly changing climate.

According to projections, over 200 million people could be displaced by 2050 due to the escalating effects of climate change, particularly rising sea levels. Traditional mitigation strategies, while crucial, are proving insufficient. Oceanix Busan proposes a proactive, adaptive solution: building resilient, sustainable floating cities.

The project, currently in its advanced development phase, envisions a modular, scalable floating city capable of accommodating a growing community. These platforms are designed to be interconnected, allowing for reconfiguration and expansion to meet the evolving needs of its inhabitants. Unlike fixed structures vulnerable to the sea's encroachment, Oceanix Busan is designed to rise with the water.

Tho emphasizes that the core innovation isn't solely technological, though significant advancements are being made in materials science and renewable energy. The platforms themselves will utilize sustainable materials, prioritizing recycled plastics and locally sourced bamboo - minimizing the environmental footprint of construction. Power generation will rely heavily on renewable sources, with integrated solar panels and wind turbines providing a significant portion, if not all, of the city's energy needs.

However, the biggest hurdles aren't engineering challenges, but rather navigating the complex legal and governance landscape. Building and operating a city on the ocean requires a new legal framework, one that establishes jurisdiction, ownership, and operational standards. This is where the Oceanix Busan project faces its most significant and ongoing battle.

"We need to create a legal framework that allows us to build and operate a city on the ocean," explains Tho. This isn't simply a matter of local regulations; it requires international cooperation and the establishment of precedents for maritime governance that haven't yet been defined. The project is working closely with the Busan Metropolitan City and the South Korean government to establish this framework, aiming to demonstrate the viability of floating cities as a solution for climate-induced displacement.

The concept extends beyond simply providing shelter. Oceanix Busan aims to foster a thriving, self-sufficient community with local food production through integrated aquaculture systems and vertical farming. Emphasis is also placed on creating a circular economy, minimizing waste and maximizing resource utilization. The ultimate goal is to create a blueprint for a sustainable urban ecosystem that can be replicated in other vulnerable coastal regions around the world.

The project has garnered significant attention globally, attracting interest from governments, urban planners, and investors. While challenges remain - including securing long-term funding, perfecting the durability of the floating structures in harsh marine environments, and ensuring equitable access for future residents - the potential benefits are enormous.

Oceanix Busan represents a paradigm shift in how we approach coastal urbanization. It's a bold statement that we are not passive victims of climate change, but proactive innovators capable of adapting and building a resilient future. The success of this project could pave the way for a new era of 'oceanic urbanization,' offering a lifeline to communities facing the existential threat of rising sea levels. The city isn't just about surviving the rising tide, but about thriving with it.