Massive New City Being Built in the Middle of the Ocean by Dredging Deep Sea Sand
Lagos, one of the most populous metropolises in Africa and located in Nigeria, is implementing one of the most audacious engineering projects in history in response to population explosion and land scarcity. Millions of cubic meters of sand are being extracted from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean through giant pipes to construct an artificial megacity from scratch in the middle of the sea.
Lagos, the trade and finance hub of West Africa, boasting a population of over 16 million, grows by an average of 275,000 people each year.
On one hand, there's the uncontrolled population growth, and on the other, the encroaching Atlantic Ocean, effectively cornering Lagos into a tight spot. The city, which has receded 3 kilometers inland due to coastal erosion compared to a century ago, faces an escalating risk of flooding each passing day.
In an attempt to find a permanent solution to this colossal crisis, the Lagos State Government (LASG) and South Energyx Nigeria Limited (SENL) have embarked on a groundbreaking project: Eko Atlantic (Nigeria International Trade City).
Rising right in the middle of the ocean as an extension of Victoria Island, this artificial city will cover an area of 10 square kilometers once it's fully completed.
This magnitude is nearly on par with Manhattan, the world-renowned skyscraper district of New York.
According to the master plan prepared by Haskoning, the engineering partner of the project, a staggering 95 million cubic meters of fill sand is being used to create this colossal landmass from scratch in the middle of the ocean. Sands dredged from the ocean floor by massive ships and dredging systems form the foundation of the new city.
The latest progress of the project reveals the limits of engineering:
75 Million Cubic Meters of Sand Laid: More than two-thirds of the land has been reclaimed from the ocean.
6.5 Million Square Meters of Land Created: Where once there were only waves, now there is a massive piece of land that can be walked upon.
Protecting this artificial city, situated merely 2 meters above sea level, from the lethal waves of the Atlantic Ocean, its tides, and the impacts of the climate crisis forms the most vital part of the project.
Engineers are not constructing a massive defensive wall at the current point where the sea is advancing to protect the city, but rather along the original coastline from the year 1905.
Named 'The Great Wall of Lagos,' this heavy and robust marine defense structure will reach a full length of 8.4 kilometers upon completion. This giant wall, of which 7 kilometers has already been completed, will not merely be a cold concrete block bracing the waves; it will also serve as the city's most luxurious promenade for walking and strolling.
Designed to have the smart and sustainable infrastructure of the future, Eko Atlantic is being equipped with modern transportation networks, efficient water-energy systems, massive commercial plazas, luxury residences, and entertainment centers.
Upon completion, this new coastal city in the middle of the ocean is planned to be home to 250,000 inhabitants. Moreover, the city is also set to host 150,000 daily visitors who will be coming from outside for work and trade. Eko Atlantic, while addressing the land shortage in Lagos on one hand, will also serve as a massive shield on the other, protecting the mainland from coastal erosion with its enormous protective wall being constructed.
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