Miami’s newest traffic jam is 20 feet underwater – The Architect’s Newspaper

Report on the REEFLINE Project: An Integration of Art and Marine Conservation in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

A new initiative, REEFLINE, has been launched off the coast of Miami Beach, Florida. This project is an ambitious underwater sculpture park designed to function as a hybrid coral reef, directly addressing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first installation, titled “Concrete Coral” by artist Leandro Erlich, consists of 22 life-sized concrete car sculptures submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. This report details the project’s objectives, implementation, and significant contributions to global sustainability targets, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

2.0 Project Overview and Implementation

The REEFLINE project is a multi-faceted initiative combining public art with marine science and coastal engineering. Its master plan, developed by Shohei Shigematsu and OMA, envisions a seven-mile underwater corridor.

• Installation: The initial phase involved the deployment of 22 sculptures, cast from marine-grade concrete, approximately 800 feet from the shore at a depth of 20 feet.
• Ecological Enhancement: The project’s Native Coral Lab will seed the installation with 2,200 native coral fragments using the Coral Lok bonding method to accelerate ecosystem development.
• Funding and Support: The initiative is supported by the 2022 Arts & Culture General Obligations Bond and a broad coalition of scientists, architects, environmental advocates, and public officials, highlighting a strong partnership model in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The REEFLINE project provides a tangible framework for achieving key SDG targets through innovative, localized action.

3.1 SDG 14: Life Below Water

The project’s primary objective is the conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems.

1. Habitat Creation: The sculptures are engineered to function as an artificial reef, providing a complex habitat for fish, invertebrates, and other marine organisms.
2. Coral Reef Restoration: By actively planting declining native coral species, the project directly contributes to the fight against coral bleaching and the degradation of marine biodiversity.
3. Sustainable Marine Resource Management: It serves as a model for sustainably using coastal areas to enhance, rather than deplete, marine life.

3.2 SDG 13: Climate Action & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

REEFLINE is designed as a form of green infrastructure that builds coastal resilience.

• Climate Adaptation: The structure is intended to absorb wave energy, thereby slowing coastal erosion and mitigating the impacts of storm surges, which are intensifying due to climate change.
• Coastal Protection: By stabilizing the seabed, the project enhances the resilience of Miami Beach, a city highly vulnerable to sea-level rise, contributing to the goal of making human settlements safer and more sustainable.
• Cultural and Natural Heritage: The project safeguards the natural heritage of the coastline while creating a unique cultural landmark.

3.3 SDG 4: Quality Education & SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The initiative serves as a platform for education and technological innovation.

• Educational Platform: REEFLINE is envisioned as a “living classroom” to educate residents, students, and tourists about marine ecology, conservation, and the impacts of climate change.
• Innovative Infrastructure: The project represents an innovative approach to coastal infrastructure, merging artistic creativity with scientific research and resilient engineering.

4.0 Conclusion and Future Outlook

The “Concrete Coral” installation is the foundational step in the decade-long REEFLINE project. It transforms a symbolic representation of urban congestion into a thriving marine ecosystem. By integrating art with environmental science, the project provides a powerful model for addressing complex challenges like marine habitat loss and coastal vulnerability. As stated by its founder, Ximena Caminos, REEFLINE aims to demonstrate how creativity can drive tangible solutions, positioning Miami Beach as a leader in sustainable coastal development and offering a replicable model for cities worldwide committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The article focuses on the REEFLINE project, which is an “ambitious new underwater sculpture park and hybrid coral reef.” Its primary goal is to create a “deliberately built ecosystem for fish, invertebrates, and declining native corals,” directly addressing the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The project is described as a testing ground for “hybrid reefs designed to absorb wave energy, slow erosion, and stabilize the seabed.” This demonstrates a direct action to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and increased storm intensity, by enhancing coastal resilience.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• By implementing a project that serves as coastal engineering to protect Miami Beach from erosion and wave energy, REEFLINE contributes to making the city safer and more resilient to climate-related disasters. The article notes it can become a “model for cities around the world,” highlighting its relevance to urban sustainability.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The project aims to build a “living classroom for residents, students, and visitors who come to learn from the coastline’s shifting ecology.” This educational component directly supports the goal of providing knowledge and skills for sustainable development.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

• The REEFLINE project is a direct action for restoration. The article states that divers will “seed the installation with 2,200 corals” and that the project aims to “nurture thousands of new coral outplants.” This effort is designed to restore a marine ecosystem and strengthen its resilience.

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

• The article explains that the hybrid reefs are “designed to absorb wave energy, slow erosion, and stabilize the seabed.” This is a clear example of strengthening the adaptive capacity of a coastal community (Miami Beach) to climate-related hazards like storm surges and sea-level rise.

Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

• The project’s function as a coastal defense mechanism that slows erosion and absorbs wave energy directly contributes to reducing the potential impact of water-related disasters on the city of Miami Beach, thereby protecting its population and infrastructure.

Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles…

• The project’s ambition to create a “living classroom for residents, students, and visitors” to learn about “the coastline’s shifting ecology” directly aligns with this target by promoting education for sustainable development through a real-world, interactive experience.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for Target 14.2

• Number of corals successfully outplanted: The article explicitly mentions a plan to “seed the installation with 2,200 corals” and “nurture thousands of new coral outplants.” The survival and growth rate of these corals is a direct indicator of restoration success.
• Marine biodiversity levels: The article notes that “schools of jack and spadefish weave through the cement chassis.” Monitoring the population and diversity of “fish, invertebrates, and declining native corals” within the REEFLINE area would serve as an indicator of ecosystem health.

Indicators for Targets 13.1 and 11.5

• Rate of coastal erosion: The project is designed to “slow erosion.” Measuring the shoreline change over time in the protected area compared to unprotected areas would be a key indicator of its effectiveness.
• Wave energy reduction: As the reef is designed to “absorb wave energy,” measuring the difference in wave height and force behind the structure versus in front of it would quantify its success in protecting the coast.

Indicators for Target 4.7

• Number of participants in educational programs: The success of the “living classroom” can be measured by tracking the number of residents, students, and visitors who participate in educational activities, tours, or research related to the REEFLINE project.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: archpaper.com