Sinking Cities

Sinking Cities aims to counteract the effects of underground water extraction in cities that contribute to land compaction, causing instability and damage to infrastructure in cities around the world.

Research on water technologies and management techniques aimed at countering the effects of underground water extraction for consumption in various cities. Extracting water from underground contributes to the sinking of cities through land compaction, and some cities, such as Mexico DF, Rome, and Jakarta, have been affected. This is affecting the stability of the urban layer, causing buildings and streets to tilt, sudden sinkholes to appear in the city center (as in the case of Mexico), and causing water irregularities.

The sinking of the ground can also cause damage to infrastructure such as pipelines and buildings. Water management and conservation are increasingly important to mitigate the impacts of climate change and prevent further damage to urban areas.

Sinking Cities focuses on technologies such as water treatment plants, desalination, and fracking, among others. One active solution being explored is using treated water that is injected into the compacted land under pressure (similar to fracking), creating water pockets that can help regulate the urban layer. A passive solution is to improve the management of water sources for consumption or reduce human consumption of water.