Unlocking the Global Potential of Urban Development Offshore Floating Solutions in the Mediterranean Region

Recent research on floating solutions represents a significant advancement in promoting responsible human activities in the nearby marine environment and offshore regions. However, little is currently known about the actual scale of the potential for using floating solutions worldwide. The upscaling course of floating solutions is powered by the development needs of society and is restricted by natural environmental conditions and physical constraints. The main motivational drivers for floating solutions include land scarcity, population demographics, sustainability goals, recreational activities, and disaster mitigation. On the other hand, constraints primarily stem from issues such as wave energy, extreme weather events, zoning regulations, and bathymetric considerations. Thus, when considering both motivational drivers and constraints as layers of data, a model can be developed in a geographic information system (GIS) to help answer where floating solutions could be applied on a global scale. This study explores some of the methodological frameworks necessary for creating a global GIS model, focusing on the technical potential of floating solutions in the context of offshore dwelling.