The Vertical Axis
As the global warming persists, and ice caps melt, and water levels rise around the world, scientists project the shape of our borders and coastlines will shift dramatically. A favorite anecdote I’ve heard is that water levels will rise in lower Manhattan, burying the site where the World Trade Center stood. I found this image of Manhattan underwater and was struck at how serene and alluring it was. I’ve decided to incorporate this idea into my world.
Water levels have risen, perhaps not as much as in the photo, but enough to make descending from the high rises to sea level prohibitive, or at least a major hassle. Interestingly enough the water hasn’t made Manhattan any less desirable, in fact people are excited about having more water-front property, and less traffic noise. The mayor has launched a world wide media campaign painting the city as Venice for the 21st century, the center of art, business and science. Tourism campaigns pit the new Manhattan against the world, palm, and script islands of the Arabian Gulf, not failing to mention that the ‘new islands of Manhattan’ were created naturally, unlike those garish islands in the Emirates (The city locked in a heated rivalry with Dubai).
As the city is now surrounded by even more water, ‘outsiders’ have to use bridges or boats to get in. The cost of crossing is pretty high, and set specifically to prohibit those who can’t afford it from entering.
Now that the streets have turned to canals, people tend to stay in their buildings. “Work” is a state of mind in the new Manhattan, it is ubiquitous, not a place that needs to be traveled to. Everyone telecommutes, and therefore is pretty much working all the time. High Rises have become increasingly mixed purposed (business, residential, entertainment) to accommodate. This is reflected in present day architecture and city planning – from mixed use complexes like “The Americana at Brand” and McMansions with home offices, home gyms, bowling alleys, movie theaters, etc....
The higher up, the more prestigious, the more expensive. Rooftops are social spaces, the top floors are residential, the middle floors are commercial, and the lower floors are utility, storage, and housing for service workers.
Because of the new vertical orientation of society, elevators have been reprogrammed to jet straight to the top floors first, then drop everyone else off on the way down. This way the top floor-dwellers who pay the highest rent have the shortest commute, and people who live on the lower floors will be prohibited from taking the elevator because of the long wait.
**ps Movable Type isn't letting me upload another file. I'll post the map in the morning.