Pamphlet Architecture Proposal.

Status: Complete

The Maldives stands at a critical juncture in the 21st century, facing imminent submersion due to rising sea levels while grappling with significant geopolitical and environmental challenges. In response to this existential threat, our speculative proposal introduces a vision for a new form of virtual citizenship, redefining national identity and sovereignty in an era characterized by transnational flows and virtual economies.

Amid the backdrop of the Indian-Chinese cold war and the erosion of its atolls, the Maldives seeks to adapt to changing circumstances by leveraging its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. As physical territory diminishes, the Maldivian government is exploring options for relocating its population, including negotiations for territory within Australia. However, such relocation poses formidable challenges.

Instead, our proposal envisions the creation of a virtual homeland, capitalizing on the Maldives’ claims to its coastal waters as a new form of territorial value. By establishing a sovereign wealth fund and investing in virtual infrastructure, the Maldives aims to offer virtual citizenship to its diaspora, providing economic mobility and security in an increasingly precarious world.

Central to this vision is the repurposing of decommissioned ships from South Asia’s ship-breaking beaches, transforming them into physical ruins that serve as the foundation for a new virtual society. This floating infrastructure, which includes a transshipment port and an air cargo hub, will become the nucleus of a new center of global activity, facilitating trade and financial transactions in the Indian Ocean.

Revenue generated from taxes and tariffs on these transactions will feed into a generational trust for Maldivians, supporting the livelihoods and virtual citizenship of the diaspora. In this speculative reality, Maldivian refugees will be welcomed into new nations as valuable contributors to the global supply chain, highlighting the potential for strategic intervention in addressing the systemic challenges posed by climate change.