Mega Engineering

City at Sea (1x3)

Air date: Aug 03, 2009

New Orleans is under siege. Devastating floods caused by global warming and rising sea levels have brought the city to its knees. The old defenses -- levees and canals -- can't be counted on any longer. But surprisingly, some engineers are saying the only way for New Orleans to escape the water is to build a floating city: a New New Orleans, buoyed up by the water, not drowning under it. Long a dream for engineers, science has finally caught up theory. Innovations in nautical design, material science, and maritime construction have made it possible. But much more remains to be done. The city will have to survive killer waves, repel pirate attacks, and dodge hurricanes. The stakes are sky high, but the Big Easy is up to the challenge.