Ocean Cities : Environmental aspects

International Maritime Organization, IMO

Abstract

Ocean City is a relatively new concept requiring a substantial leap in the imagination. In the absence of an agreed definition, my own inclination is to think in terms of establishment of a community on an artificial island. It follows from this definition that system boundaries can be drawn, and environmental considerations emanating from the existence of that community, can be reasonably and rationally contemplated.

For the purpose of this lecture, environmental protection is considered under the following headings: purpose of the community; management of wastes; energy needs; transport needs; and conservation of the natural habitat.

Taking as a starting point the obligation under Article 208 of UNCLOS, 1982 that coastal States shall adopt laws and regulations to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment arising from artificial islands under their jurisdiction, the lecture draws upon the experience of the maritime community in regulating ship-generated marine pollution as a pointer to ways in which Ocean Cities may deal with similar problems.