Mekong Delta "Floating Flatpack", 5th. semester project

Châu Thánh, Bên Tre, VIETNAM
“INTERNATIONALIZATION”
TWO WEEK PROJECT – “FLATBED FOUNDATION”
UCN – 5th. SEMESTER

INTRODUCTION
MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM
Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is home to over 21 million people (22% of the national population), most
of whom are agricultural and aquacultural farmers. The Delta is comprised largely of wetlands,
which contribute 52% of the national rice production and 60% of the national fisheries and aquaculture
production. The Mekong Delta is considered the rice bowl of Southeast Asia, making it
essential for food supply and the national economy of Vietnam. The flood season occurs annually,
typically lasting six months from July to December. With anthropogenic climate change comes increasingly
severe flooding. Annual runoff from the upper basin of the Mekong River is projected to
increase 21% by 2030, with annual precipitation expected to increase by 200mm a year. More
frequent and extreme rainfall periods produce prolonged and more damaging flood events, with
the potential for greater disruption to communities in the Mekong Delta. Flooding, however, is a
normal seasonal event that is crucial to the ecosystem, as well as to the agricultural and fishing
economies of the Delta. Increased precipitation could prove beneficial to the farmland, as flooding
brings alluvial soil deposits from the upstream basin to areas downriver. This mineral-rich soil provides
spawning grounds for fish, resulting in a well-stocked fishery. It also improves the fertility of
the fields, resulting in a high diversity of flora and fauna. Diverting floodwater through typical,
infrastructural-scale flood control systems such as dikes or levees prohibits the ecological benefits
provided by sediment-bearing seasonal floodwater. In contrast, amphibious retrofit construction
works in synchrony with natural flood cycles rather than attempting to control them.
CONTEXT / KEY OBJECTIVE
The key objective of this project was to implement a flood mitigation strategy through
a floating platform that preserves residents’ connection to their land and livelihoods,
while minimizing the impact to local ecosystems, and ensuring continued ecological
benefits from the seasonal flood cycles. Low-cost modular floating flatbeds to existing
houses in the Mekong Delta provide vulnerable households with a cost-effective alternative
to rebuilding on higher stilts. They allow residents to remain on water and free
the space of their farmland during flood events with little or no damage to their homes
and possessions, while reducing the psychological trauma associated with flood events.

CHALLENGES FOR THE LIVELIHOODS AT MEKONG DELTA
OVERVIEW OF CHALLENGES IN THE AREA
Areas of Southeast Asia are highly susceptible to sea level rise: 3.3% of the world’s landmass
is in this region yet it accounts for 11% of the world’s coastline (New York Times).
One such area is the Mekong River Delta in Southern Vietnam.
If the sea level increased by 0.9m, over 30% of the delta would be submerged and up to
17 million people would potentially be at risk of flooding. Although these estimates fail to
account for preventative measures (such as dikes), such barriers are often the source of
additional concerns due to their retention of industrial wastewater, fertilizers, and pesticides
- the accumulation of which can be harmful to agricultural activities in the river delta
(New York Times). The Mekong Delta is perpetually exposed to flood risk as it lies only
slightly above sea level. Floods occur annually, typically in the wet season. The four main
components of this flooding are flood water carried downstream by the Mekong River;
high intensity localized rainfall over a short period; tidal floods due to storms and high
tides and human intervention.
In recent years, a growing concern for many has been flooding related to the management
of hydropower dams upstream (Duong et al.). However, it’s important to be mindful that
some flooding is an important component of maintaining the fertility of farmlands and
aquatic farms in the Mekong. Overall, it’s estimated that 85% of the population in the
Mekong Delta rely on it for their livelihood (New York Times). When flooding does occur,
the mean annual economic losses are USD $71 million in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam
and USD $88 million in the Lower Mekong Basin in Thailand (Mekong River Commission,
2018).
SERVERE FLOODS AND THE THREAD OF
SEA LEVEL RISE
In 2011, the Mekong Delta experienced one of the most severe flood events in the past
decade. The Cambodian floodplain and Mekong Delta were both inundated. A total of
265 fatalities were reported, with at least 449,000 houses damaged and an estimated
economic loss of USD $600 million (Mekong River Commission, 2015).
The rising sea level is threatening the livelihoods of many who rely on the fertile delta of
the Lower Mekong Basin. On various occasions, the dikes built by the Vietnamese government
have successfully prevented saltwater intrusion into the farms owned by locals.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same protection for their land. Numerous homes
are not protected by the dikes, resulting in occasions where sea inundation has occurred
and drowned mangroves and eucalyptus trees (Mekong River Commission, 2016).
One of the principle reasons for this risk is that the lower basin has an average elevation
of only 2–4m above Mean Sea Level. Climate change estimates foresee sea levels rising
by 0.8–1m by 2100 and as a result, 38% of the delta may be inundated. For many, the
worst-case scenario for the delta is a high astronomical tide coinciding with major flooding
of the Mekong (Mekong River Commission, 2016).
AGRICULTURE AS THE CORNERSTONE
FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN DANGER
Agriculture is a cornerstone of economic growth in the Lower Mekong River Basin
(LMB), providing livelihoods for more than 65 million people in the basin. Farming is
the primary occupation of the rural areas of each lower Mekong country. Between 2011
and 2014, the numbers of people engaged in farming have increased in Cambodia,
Thailand, and Viet Nam by an average 9 percent to 6.9 million, whereas the total number
of farmers in Lao PDR has appeared to decline from 238,000 to a little over 15,000.

CHALLENGES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN MEKONG DELTA
CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECT ON THE LIVELI-
HOOD
Climate change is not just a threat in the Mekong River Basin. Its impact is present and affecting
the livelihoods of the millions who rely on the river’s natural resources.
Rising temperatures and changes in the intensity of rainfall, river flow, floods, and droughts
are destroying homes, infrastructure, crops and fisheries. As a result, vulnerable communities
are faced with food shortages and diminished livelihoods. Additionally, predicted rises
in sea levels are set to increase salinity and floods in the Mekong Delta, causing damage to
crops in the most productive area of the basin.
According to the MRC (Mekong River Commission) research, a wide range of potential
changes are projected to occur over the next 20 to 50 years. Temperatures are projected to
increase across the basin and across seasons. By 2060 the average annual basin-wide increase
could be between 0.4 ̊C and 3.3 ̊C depending on the trajectory of global greenhouse
gas emissions. Average change in rainfall by 2060 under a dry climate scenario is projected
to fall by 16%, and under a wet climate scenario, to increase by 17%.
Many plant and animal species are highly vulnerable to climate change with large numbers
of fish particularly at risk due to their sensitivity to hydrological cues. Under a moderate
scenario to 2060, soil erosion losses are projected to increase by 16.9%.
IMPACT ON FISHERY IN THE AREA
Despite their importance, the Mekong fisheries is increasingly under pressure from a wide
array of impacts from basin development and climate change. Such impacts, many of them
negative, stem from the construction of hydropower dams, expansion of irrigated agriculture,
flood control and protection infrastructure, and other water resources development
projects.
As the population of the LMB is predicted to grow to over 100 million by 2025, dependence
on the fisheries sector will increase. If productivity declines, or if fisheries products are contaminated
with industrial waste as observed in many other parts of the world, the consequences
could be severe.

CHALLENGES DUE TO PLASTIC POLLUTION IN MEKONG RIVER (STATISTICS/CURRENT RECYCLE)
SOUNDING THE ALARM
The Mekong River Commission is sounding the alarm on the growing challenge of macroplastics
and microplastics, urging its four Member Countries to establish a joint, permanent mechanism
to monitor and clean up pollutants that seep into the soil, air, and fisheries — and can affect both
the ecosystem and human health.
The MRC’s own Riverine Plastic Monitoring (RPM) Program — the first one in the world — estimated
that in 2020, its four countries had produced about eight million tons of plastic waste. At
ports and piers, for example, some 70% to 90% of the solid waste was identified as plastic bottles,
plastic bags, and Styrofoam.
Less visible than the solid waste, but even more harmful, are the “microplastics,” which are the
miniscule pieces of degraded plastic, synthetic fibers and plastic beads that can be easily ingested
by humans and animals.
The issue of plastics pollution first became prominent in 2017, with the landmark research of a
German-led team that documented how large rivers were the main source of many hundreds of
metric tons of plastics that had begun to suffocate parts of different oceans. The researchers
identified the rivers most responsible, around the world and the Mekong ranked 10th.
SERIOUS THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH
To be sure, the threats to human health and habitats from the plastic crisis are enormous.
Riverine and marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe
injuries and death. Scientists warn that plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality,
human health, coastal tourism, and contributes to climate change. Under the influence of
solar UV radiation, wind, currents and other natural factors, plastics break down into small
particles called microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) or nanoplastics (particles smaller
than 100 nm). The small size makes them easy for aquatic life to ingest accidentally.
Increased domestic consumption combined with higher growth of the manufacturing and service
sectors has led to increased waste generation in Viet Nam. Due to uncollected waste and
the current waste collection, transportation and disposal practices, there is extensive leakage
of plastic waste in water and wastewater, ultimately leading to marine litter and plastic pollution
(SEA Circular, 2020).

CONCEPTUAL IDEAS (FLATBED INTIATIVES AND TARGET GROUP)
FLATBED INTIATIVES IN THE MEKONG DELTA
The provision of flatbeds in the Mekong Delta region is a tangible representation of the United
Nations' commitment to achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This act serves to address
Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, which strives for universal access to suitable
and affordable housing with essential services by 2030, and the upgrading of slum areas. By distributing
flatbeds to the local population, progress is made toward these objectives.
Another of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals is Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and
Production. It seeks to significantly reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling,
and reuse by 2030. In the production of flatbeds, large quantities of plastic that accumulate
in the river will be repurposed for the flatbeds' upper components. This approach helps mitigate
river pollution by recycling the plastic, thereby reducing waste.
Goal 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals, titled "Life on Land," is particularly affected by
the profound impact of climate change. This change has resulted in more frequent flooding and
droughts, leading to the loss of valuable agricultural land. In the Mekong Delta area, early signs
of climate change are evident, raising concerns that rising water levels may eventually submerge
local islands and lead to a substantial loss of biodiversity. Introducing flatbeds to support the local
island communities not only helps safeguard their land but also contributes to the creation of
new land and the preservation and enhancement of biodiversity.
TARGET GROUP AND USAGE OF FOUNDA-
TIONS
We want our flatbeds to be available to ordinary Vietnamese people. This could be, for example,
a family of rice farmers, regular farmers, fishermen etc. With low budget, salary beneath
14.000.000 dong (4.000 DKK, -).
This certain group of people is necessary for the production of farming, fishing, and rice fields in
Vietnam, they would not have the money or time to produce a foundation on the water. Which
are the fundamentals of our project and concept. The project is focusing on a lot of world goals
as focused on bottom corner.
The concept is focusing on creating foundations for the regular people, the concept is great for
expansion.
• Expanding houses
• Expanding the foundations to create farms for chickens, pigs etc.
• Expanding foundation for creation of rice fields
• Expanding in the future for creating whole cities, connected

CONCEPTUAL IDEAS (INSPIRATION MATERIAL ”FLATBED SYSTEM / FLOATING FOUNDATIONS”)

CONCEPT (INSPIRATION MATERIAL FLOATING FOUNDATION)
CONCEPT OF FLOATING FOUNDATION
The system developed offers a sustainable and highly flexible solution for building almost anything
on the water; from floating houses in Seattle to floating campsites on Oslo fjord, to saunas
on Hobart’s riverfront.
The system is based on simple flat pack modules made from recycled reinforced polymer that
are extremely strong and resilient and can be easily transported and assembled on location.
The flat-pack format makes the system easily configurable and transportable where current solutions,
including polystyrene-filled concrete foundations and plastic pontoons, are inflexible,
difficult to transport, and highly unsustainable.
The newly developed system of simple modules made from recycled reinforced plastic can be
easily transported around the globe and assembled into countless configurations, providing a
secure floating foundation.
The system is inspired by gabion construction, an ancient technology that utilizes mesh cages
filled with rubble to create extremely sturdy, low-cost foundations, walls.
UPCYCLING AND MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
In this case, the concept is inverted; and the modular “cages” are filled with locally sourced, upcycled
floatation supporting the weight of any structure built on top. These are also much more
adaptable than existing solutions since floatation can be added or adjusted at any time if weight
is added or shifted around above. Land on Water promises a far better underwater environment
than existing solutions.
While steel and concrete foundations are commonly treated with toxic anti-fouling paints, Land
on Water provides an ideal habitat for fish and crustaceans and an anchor point for mollusks and
seaweeds attracting prawns in the local area that also could help providing an easily accessible
food source for the local fishermen.
Fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) are composites used in almost every type of advanced engineering
structure, with their usage ranging from aircraft, helicopters, and spacecraft through to boats,
ships, and offshore platforms and to automobiles, sports goods, chemical processing equipment
and civil infrastructure such as bridges and buildings. The usage of FRP composites continues to
grow at an impressive rate as these materials are used more in their existing markets and become
established in relatively new markets such as biomedical devices and civil structures.

CONCEPTUAL IDEAS (INSPIRATION MATERIAL FOR FLOATING STRUCTURE)

PRODUCTION OF THE CONCEPT
RIVER OF PLASTIC
The Mekong is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, transporting an estimated 40 thousand tonnes
of plastic into the world’s oceans each year. By 2050, the regional population will grow by >110 million people,
increasing waste in the coral triangle, the most biodiverse marine area on our planet, situated near the
Mekong’s mouth.
Hence, it's imperative to repurpose the plastic waste accumulated in the river for flatbed production.
Production:
Flatbeds are designed to optimize local construction projects, guided by the 80/20 principle. The system is
based on simple flat pack modules made from recycled reinforced polymer. These are extremely strong and
resilient and can be easily transported and assembled on location.
The recycled reinforced polymer will be sourced from the substantial plastic volumes harvested in the Mekong
Delta River. Factories will receive the river plastic for testing and sorting to discern its suitability for use.
Following the testing and sorting phase, the flatbeds will be manufactured in three key components:
The top
The cage
The middle
These segments will be provided to local communities, empowering them to self-assemble the cage, affix the
top, and then integrate the middle, which sitting inside the cage.
Once the elements are combined, the locals of the Mekong region can collect their preferred amount of
flatbed and place them in the river to create structures of their choice.

CONCEPTUAL IDEAS (INSPIRATION MATERIAL)

CONCEPTUAL IDEAS (DESIGN SKETCHES / INITIAL THOUGHTS OF PROCESS)

CONCEPTUAL IDEAS (SKETCHES SITUATION PLAN)

UN – SUPPORTING VIETNAM AND THE MEKONG DELTA: DRAFTING A “FLATBED” PLAN TO ENSURE CLIMATE-RESILIENCE
AND SECURING PRODUCTIVITY (MADE UP FUNDING PLAN)
SUMMARY
As part of a Danish-Vietnamese team, and with generous support from the Global Resilience Partnership,
the Danish "flatbed" Foundation Project worked alongside local experts, commissions,
and community members to create the future of foundation systems in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.
Floating flatbeds for housing and agriculture is an innovative flood mitigation strategy that allows
homes to rest on the water of the river and rise with water during a flood and return to their
original positions as the floodwater dissipates. In this innovative project, the foundation is the key
as it allows the user to build whatever needs they may have upon the platform.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is home to over 21 million people (22% of the national population), most of
whom are agricultural and aquacultural farmers. The Delta is comprised largely of wetlands, which
contribute 52% of the national rice production and 60% of the national fisheries and aquaculture
production. The Mekong Delta is considered the rice bowl of Southeast Asia, making it essential for
food supply and the national economy of Vietnam. The flood season occurs annually, typically lasting
six months from July to December. With anthropogenic climate change comes increasingly severe
flooding. Annual runoff from the upper basin of the Mekong River is projected to increase 21% by
2030, with annual precipitation expected to increase by 200mm a year. More frequent and extreme
rainfall periods produce prolonged and more damaging flood events, with the potential for greater
disruption to communities in the Mekong Delta. Flooding, however, is a normal seasonal event that
is crucial to the ecosystem, as well as to the agricultural and fishing economies of the Delta. Increased
precipitation could prove beneficial to the farmland, as flooding brings alluvial soil deposits from the
upstream basin to areas downriver. This mineral-rich soil provides spawning grounds for fish, resulting
in a well-stocked fishery. It also improves the fertility of the fields, resulting in a high diversity of
flora and fauna. Diverting floodwater through typical, infrastructural-scale flood control systems
such as dikes or levees prohibits the ecological benefits provided by sediment-bearing seasonal floodwater.
In contrast, amphibious retrofit construction works in synchrony with natural flood cycles rather
than attempting to control them. The key objective of this project was to implement a flood
mitigation strategy through a floating platform that preserves residents’ connection to their land
and livelihoods, while minimizing the impact to local ecosystems, and ensuring continued ecological
benefits from the seasonal flood cycles. Low-cost amphibious retrofits to existing houses in the Mekong
Delta provide vulnerable households with a cost-effective alternative to rebuilding on higher
stilts. They allow residents to remain on water and free the space of their farmland during flood
events with little or no damage to their homes and possessions, while reducing the psychological
trauma associated with flood events.
FUTURE GOALS, OUTCOMES, AND IMPACT
The project will be shared by all who were involved in the project: homeowners, carpenters, local
officials, Vietnamese team members, and sponsors. The future findings will hopefully confirm
that there is a strong potential to enhance economic resilience and sustainable livelihoods by
providing opportunities for entrepreneurship related to amphibious floating construction. In
2026, an independent evaluation will be completed to assess the effectiveness of the project.
The possibly achieved successful performance of the innovative platforms over two flood seasons
will hopefully have had a positive social impact on the community. Aligning with the Vietnamese
government’s resolution to support sustainable development and climate change adaptation
in the Mekong Delta, the main goal is that there will be local and governmental interest
to expand the project.

UN – SUPPORTING VIETNAM AND THE MEKONG DELTA: DRAFTING A “FLATBED” PLAN TO ENSURE CLIMATE-RESILIENCE
AND SECURING PRODUCTIVITY (MADE UP FUNDING PLAN)
SUSTAINABILITY AND SCALABILITY
The success of this project should be able to demonstrate that scaling-up would have significant
benefits for many people living in flood-prone communities around the world. The key to successful
implementation is to engage in an inclusive and iterative design process that considers
the social, economic, and environmental conditions. Determining the suitability of the location
begins with identifying if the housing and agricultural typology and flood characteristics are
appropriate for a floating "flatbed" foundation. At the current state of the technology’s development,
the best-suited contexts for replication are foundations made of light-weight materials
with integrated flooring systems primarily made from bamboo and at least slightly elevated
above the water.
AIM FOR THE INNOVATIVE INTIATIVE
Through the implementation of this project homeowners and community members will hopefully
realize they no longer need to live in fear of the floods. This relatively simple technology
provides communities in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta with increased flood resilience as they face
more severe flooding. By providing training opportunities will help to scale this project and will
empower communities to implement locally initiated retrofits. The agricultural use of the foundation
system will also hopefully have a very positive impact on the production rates by establishing
mineral rich soil on top of the systems which allows the local farmers to produce their
main food source in a safe system while not being afraid of their crops being destroyed by the
floods.
Dwellings or other uses built on the platforms should not be subject to waves or high velocity
water. As many households in flood-prone communities in developing countries lack the financial
means and knowledge to implement amphibious floating retrofits, we propose scaling-up
involve a training program to teach local tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and community groups
how to apply amphibious floating retrofitting techniques. Scaling-up in such a way not only increases
community flood resilience but also builds local capacity and enhances local economic
development. These training programs will also include conceptual drawings of how to build
housing or agriculture on the "flatbed" foundations, so the residents can build whatever needs
they may have upon this foundation system.
INNOVATIVE INTIATIVE
The floating "flatbed" modular construction is an innovative approach to flood risk reduction
that works in synchrony with natural flood cycles. The system involved inventing a system that
supplements the typical static foundation with a buoyant foundation that keeps the house dry
by allowing it to float above the water during a flood. Vertical guidance posts allow the house
to slide up and down but keep it from floating away. Using a grassroots approach, the community
will be mobilized and assisted in identifying pilot locations. The iterative design and construction
process will ensure responsiveness to stakeholders’ values and differing circumstances
as the foundation technology can be adapted modularly for each house/use. The team engaged
in a bottom-up approach to technology transfer, collaborating with local tradespeople and community
members on how to apply amphibious floating techniques in the Vietnamese context.
Local and recycled materials (primarily reused plastic) will be used for buoyancy elements and
wooden guidance posts (could be telephone poles) to help ensure that materials were accessible,
culturally appropriate, sustainable, and cost-effective.

MATERIAL CHOICE ANALYSIS (FOUNDATION – WALLS – ROOF)
FOUNDATION WALLS ROOF

VISUALIZATIONS OF FINAL CONCEPT

VISUALIZATIONS OF FINAL CONCEPT

SITEPLAN

ELEVATIONS

ELEVATIONS

ELEVATIONS
SECTION VIEW OF FOUNDATION AND BAMBOO FLOOR

DETAIL DRAWINGS

INSTALLATIONS
MODEL HOUSE INSTALLATIONS
We have chosen to create an example with installations in our model house.
When it comes to wastewater and septic tanks, there are several options. The tanks can be
placed underwater inside the boxes or on the sides of the flatbeds. If placed on the side of the
flatbed, the septic tank can be emptied by boats and later used as fertilizer for rice fields on the
flatbeds.
The water tank itself can be located on the first floor to allow water to flow down to the ground
floor without the need for pumps.
Regarding electricity, solar panels can be placed on the roof to provide power to the entire cabin.

TIMEPLAN