A Performance-Based Design Framework for Floating Architecture. Trade-Offs and Correlations Between Requirements for Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Optimization

Abstract

Compared to inland settlements, coastal cities concentrate a large proportion of the global population and economic activity, while being exposed and vulnerable to a range of climate- and ocean-compounded hazards driven by climate change. Given the urgency of identifying efficient and sustainable climate adaptation strategies and designing climate-proof models of urban development, the research focuses on floating urban clusters as plug-in extensions of coastal cities. In particular, the study focuses on the identification of the requirements that make up the performance-based design framework (PBDF) for floating architecture. The PBDF is conceived as a meta-design tool for architects, urban planners, and policymakers, for advancing multiple criteria decision-making for floating architecture. Floating urban development is likely to take place in the context of coastal areas. The hypothesis is that the needs and design criteria are more similar to those related to the built environment than to those related to the offshore or naval industry. Therefore, the identification and categorization of performance requirements takes the urban-architectural prescriptive and performance-based norms as the starting point, while addressing the missing aspects from the perspective of offshore and shipping regulatory frameworks. First of all, an evidence-based assessment of performance guidelines and regulatory systems that are effective in different countries around the world is carried out. The PBDF is further integrated, weighted, and validated through a case study analysis to merge as much as possible theory and practice. Ultimately, the paper outlines the trade-offs and correlations between different performance requirements, as the PBDF is meant to emphasize the logical interaction between the different potential choices for the identification of different scenarios. Overall, this paper highlights how floating architecture and floating urban development of coastal cities can provide a viable adaptation strategy to the problem of rising sea levels, if appropriately addressed through a structured system of guidelines in accordance with Blue Economy principles and the Agenda 2030.