Building on a Floating Island

摘要

IN AUGUST 2000, a huge island appeared in Tokyo Bay. This island is in fact an artificial, floating island, with a 1,000-meter runway. It will be used as an addition to existing airports and other infrastructures, and is a prime example of new ideas which are being put into practice.Japan has a limited area of usable land, and has made great advances in putting different types of land to use. Infrastructure construction has even expanded out onto the sea, but the amount of coastal area suitable for reclamation is quickly shrinking, and securing potential construction sites has become extremely difficult. In response to these problems, a totally new form of land development has been developed. This is "Mega-Float," the artificial, floating island. Research into Mega-Float first started in 1995, and is carried out by the Technological Research Association of Mega-Float, a partnership of 17 shipbuilding companies and steel manufacturers, with the aid of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and the Nippon Foundation.