The massive underwater city of Rapture may have began in the imaginations of BioShock's developers 2K, but a similar city could become a reality in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam.
World Architecture News says that a $14.4 billion plan was just unveiled this week to expand Amsterdam. This port city is centuries old, and they ran out of development space a long time ago, so now they're looking to build down rather than out. And down means underwater. The city's network of canals would be drained so that these complexes can be built.
The idea sounds crazy (and a bit scary), but architect Moshé Zwarts says that the city's geology permits this kind of project. "Amsterdam sits on a 30-meter layer of waterproof clay which will be used together with concrete and sand to make new walls, he explains. "Once we have resealed the canal floor, we will be able to carry on working underneath while pouring water back into the canals. It's an easy technique and it doesn't create issues with drilling noises on the streets."
Right now, they plan to use the space for shopping, parking, sports facilities, and general leisure. But it's only a matter of time before some crazy man tries to seal it off and make it a new "Eden." Let's hope that there are some advances in genetics before the project's completion date.
[Thanks, David]
LAUNCH GALLERY (6 IMAGES)
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
10:06 AM on 02.16.2008
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10/10.
Poseidon
Thanks.
This is a pretty cool idea. All these new ideas, like cpus in contact lenses and nanotech, are really starting to make me feel like we're living in the 21st century. That Poseidon resort looks mad.
It's relaxing and unnerving at the same time.
No but seriously, I live in a city nearby and this idea sounds rather strange, I'm in Amsterdam a lot, but this idea just sounds like the mayor of Amsterdam has smoked some serious sh*t!
Looks like the Dutch'll beat them to the "shitty-to-live-in-but-goddamn-if-it-isn't-futuristic city" punch.
Underwater BONG
Imagine a High Big Daddy and Little sister.
"Mr Bubbles DUDE look.....at all the colors weeeeeeeeeeee (scary ass laugh) it's another angel. I think the only reason we die is becuase we accept it at an inevitablity"
They should just demolish Belgium though and expand Amsterdam there. No-one would miss it.
Now I wonder if I could build me an underground bunker in my back garden - surely if it's underground I wouldn't have to have planning permission.
It looks like a good place to hold a Feyenoord-Ajax riot sometime in the future though!
And then pull the plug.
kinda hope they go through with it, thast would be sooo cool :-)
maybe they can put the red light district there, that would make it only more awesome! you can get a blowjob while smoking a joint and there could be (little) boats floating above you :-) it just sounds to awesome to be true though :-)