Miami, USA: Studies have shown dozens of structures, like luxury condos and hotels, that are sinking. In areas like Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Beach, some properties have sunk by 2 to 8 centimeters. But it isn’t just sinking cities in America.
The ground beneath many of the world’s most iconic and densely populated coastal cities is a threat to their continued existence. Sinking cities are a worldwide phenomenon, and sometimes they’re sinking faster than sea levels are rising. Subsidence, sea-level rise, and human activity are combining to create a crisis that could displace millions and cost trillions.
Here’s a rundown of some of the most affected sinking cities and the factors behind their slow but steady descent.
Jakarta, Indonesia: A City on the Edge
Jakarta is probably the worst hit of the sinking cities. Sinking faster than any other city in the world, with some areas subsiding at a rate of 10 inches (25 cm) per year. Groundwater extraction and poor urban planning are the main culprits. With over 10 million people living in the capital, infrastructure has struggled to keep pace.
Indonesia is now planning to relocate its capital from Jakarta to a new city called Nusantara in East Kalimantan. This move is driven by environmental concerns, including Jakarta’s rapid sinking and overpopulation. Nusantara is planned to be a sustainable, green city and is expected to be completed by 2045.
Bangkok, Thailand: Battling Soft Soil and High Tides
This city is naturally prone to sinking. Built on a thick layer of soft marine clay, known as Bangkok Clay it represents a significant challenge for construction and the maintenance of current infrastructure. Combined with over-extraction of groundwater and increasing urban development means the city has been slowly descending for decades.
Estimates suggest Bangkok could be underwater by 2050 if aggressive countermeasures aren’t implemented. Thai authorities are experimenting with water management and urban redesign, but time is running out.
New Orleans, USA: A Century of Subsidence
New Orleans is no stranger to flooding, but beyond hurricanes and levee failures lies a slow moving threat, subsidence. Drained swampland, oil and gas extraction, and the loss of sediment deposits from the Mississippi River have all contributed to the city sinking at a rate of up to 2 inches (5 cm) per year. Restoration of wetlands and new levee systems are being developed, but the challenges are immense.
Venice, Italy: A Cultural Gem in Peril
Venice has been battling acqua alta (high water) for centuries. It’s a natural phenomenon in Venice. Temporary flooding of the city occurs when the Adriatic Sea tide rises above normal levels. But recent decades have seen a sharp increase in both frequency and severity. The city is slowly sinking due to natural geological processes and historical groundwater extraction.
Combined with rising sea levels, this UNESCO World Heritage site is facing more frequent flooding. The MOSE project, (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) is a flood protection system, designed to safeguard the city from high tides and sea level rises. But its long-term success is still under scrutiny.
Lagos, Nigeria: A Megacity at Risk
Lagos, one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, is increasingly threatened by both sea-level rise and land subsidence. Poor drainage systems, unregulated construction, and the reclamation of wetlands have worsened the situation. With over 20 million people at risk, the potential humanitarian and economic impact of a sinking Lagos cannot be overstated.
Shanghai, China: Engineering vs Nature
Shanghai has faced serious subsidence problems due to rapid industrialisation and groundwater extraction. Since the 1920s, it has sunk over 6 feet (2 meters) in some areas. Chinese authorities have responded with strict regulations and groundwater management policies, which have significantly slowed the rate of subsidence. However, the threat remains as sea levels rise.
Conclusion
Sinking cities are not just a future scenario, they are becoming a present-day crisis. From Jakarta to New Orleans, millions of people are living on land that’s gradually disappearing beneath their feet. Addressing this challenge will demand innovation, cooperation, and urgent action on a global scale.
For more information on sinking cities go to Wikipedia.
Copyright © Tom Kane June 2025
It’s not just cities that sink. My novel, The Brittle Sea, features the Titanic, and we all we all know what happened to her.
The Brittle Sea by Tom Kane
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Click the image above or the link below for more information.
Review
“An evocative historical drama that brilliantly merges emotional depth with sweeping historical events. From the icy decks of the Titanic to the gritty streets of 1930s New York.”