Period: 2005

The Maldives have been hit by the tsunami of 26 December 2004. The island Vilufushi, on Thaa Atoll, was severly damaged, so that living on the island was practically impossible. The Government of the Maldives wanted to reconstruct the island according to the 'safe island' concept, by which it is enlarged and partially raised compared to the pre-tsunami level. By doing this, the island is not only better protected against the sea, but it can also house a larger numbers of inhabitants, with subsequently all economies of scale that can be realised. ECORYS has calculated the economic feasibility of the  investment plan to enlarge and partly raise the island.