Floating towns and houseboat communities around the world
While most cities are built on solid ground, some communities thrive entirely on water. These floating towns and villages have adapted to their environments, using houseboats, stilt homes, and interconnected rafts as permanent residences. Whether for practical, cultural, or environmental reasons, these water-based communities offer a unique way of life.
1. Venice, Italy – The Iconic Floating City
- Why it’s unique: Built on over 100 islands, connected by canals instead of roads.
- How people live: Residents travel by boat, including the famous gondolas.
- Challenges: Rising sea levels and sinking foundations threaten its future.
2. Ganvié, Benin – The “Venice of Africa”
- Why it’s unique: A stilt village in Lake Nokoué, home to around 20,000 people.
- How people live: Houses, schools, and markets are all built above the water.
- Why it exists: The Tofinu people built it centuries ago to escape slave raids.
3. Uros Floating Islands, Peru – Handmade from Reeds
- Why it’s unique: These artificial islands on Lake Titicaca are made of totora reeds.
- How people live: The Uros people continuously add new reeds to maintain their islands.
- Challenges: Constant upkeep is required to prevent the islands from sinking.
4. Ha Long Bay Floating Villages, Vietnam
- Why it’s unique: Fishermen live on floating homes among towering limestone islands.
- How people live: Families rely on fishing and pearl farming for survival.
- Tourism impact: The government has relocated some villagers to land, changing their way of life.
5. Kampong Ayer, Brunei – The World’s Largest Water Village
- Why it’s unique: Home to 39,000 people, with houses, schools, and mosques built on stilts.
- How people live: Connected by wooden walkways and boats, with modern amenities like electricity and internet.
- Government support: Efforts have been made to preserve the village while improving infrastructure.
The Future of Floating Cities
As sea levels rise and urban space becomes scarce, some countries are exploring floating city concepts as a solution. The Maldives and the Netherlands are investing in floating architecture, creating futuristic water-based communities that may become essential for coastal survival.
Living on water presents challenges, but for those who call these floating cities home, it’s a way of life deeply connected to culture, survival, and the environment.