A city under the sea?

A city under the sea?
by Claire Huang clairehuang@mediacorp.com.sg 05:55 AM Feb 18, 2010
SINGAPORE - The Singapore public has been prepped for the notion of underground cities - but what about underwater ones?Following the Economic Strategies Committee's recommendation that the Republic explore the use of more subterranean space, observers are expecting the government to introduce related changes to land zoning policies and measures in the upcoming Budget.

"At the moment we're only using the top shallow depths. In fact we can go deeper, as much as 100m, depending on the geological formation," said Associate Professor Chu Jian of the Nanyang Technological University's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

And his research shows the feasibility of underwater cities. "In fact, the idea is not new. An underwater city in Bulgaria has been created," he said.

"And underground cities are not expensive, if done on a large scale - the same as for land reclamation in the past."

Strong seawalls could be built to block the water, creating space behind - for shopping centres, factories or storage space.

"If you have larger-scale constructions and more international firms are willing to bring in more advanced machines and technologies because it's more cost effective, this will further reduce construction costs," said Assoc Prof Chu.

Currently, Singapore has three such underground networks: At Raffles Place, at CityLink Mall and linkways at Orchard Road. The government is also in the process of implementing the Jurong Rock Cavern for oil and gas storage at Jurong Island.

But such measures can get tricky, given the considerations of buildings above ground and geological formations. "For example, if you want to do deep excavation below (Raffles City), it may not be feasible."

The committee had also recommended transforming the existing Keppel and Pulau Brani area, once its lease expires in 2027, into a Tanjong Pagar Waterfront city.

Because of years of container work there, the ground - which was used for heavy-duty work - can be converted into foundations for high-rise buildings, said Assoc Prof Chu.

Source:
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100218-0000098/A-city-under-the-sea