London’s AT Design Office has released designs for a floating city in the China Sea, and the plans look set to become reality as China's government looks to maximise its tourist footprint.

Space is a premium on any continent, especially so in China and the proposed floating city would be built to appeal to tourists and residents alike, offering an array of attractions and plenty of green space.

Commissioned by the Chinese construction firm China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the proposed city is 4sq m (10.3sq km) and will be constructed from prefabricated blocks, 150metres (492 ft) in length and 30metres (98 ft) across.

Vertical gardens and green spaces feature heavily in the design, both being above and below the water level. The development will also feature luxury hotels, restaurants, shops and an entertainment centre in a separate area designated an 'amusement city'.

The city will have an internal and external traffic system, for electric vehicles only. The most common way to access it will be via submarine and boat. Overall, the project aims to be incredibly eco-friendly. It is expected to be self-sufficient with a house farm, hatchery and recycling centre.

Although there is no set date or budget released for the project, Business Insider reports that AT Design Office were in talks with a Chinese investment group and a smaller scale, test version of the project might be built some time next year, while construction of the floating city could start within 10 to 20 years.

With over populated countries rapidly densifying, it seems highly probable that architects and construction companies will be looking to expand into the ocean more and more over the next decade, with floating resorts already in the works in the Maldives and Tunisia.

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