I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 829 - 727: Expanding the Dome

The design plan for the Dome City was quickly finalized.

Foam metal would be used extensively to reduce construction costs, and the structure of the Dome City was improved, changing the layout from a large dome to several small domes linked together. This reduces the structural requirements and construction difficulty for the domes and can further cut construction costs.

After repeated calculations, this set of plans was 60% cheaper than the original cost. Furthermore, the project is easier to build, and due to the multiple domes design, several domes could be constructed simultaneously, significantly shortening the construction period.

Additionally, the small domes in this plan can be built independently. In smaller places without the need for large domes, like counties or towns, domes can also be constructed to improve the local living environment.

This proposal quickly appealed to the upper levels, especially the small dome design, which particularly impressed and satisfied them.

After all, building a large dome is something even the nation must consider carefully in terms of affordability, but small domes are feasible even for local areas.

The plan was quickly approved, and the upper levels decided to formally restart the Dome City construction plan.

The first step in restarting the Dome City construction plan involves planning a new Dome City around the New Dome City.

In fact, this is just a part of the original Dome City construction plan. Besides the New Dome City, the nation had identified seven regions suitable for Dome City construction and planned to build five Dome Cities in total.

The entire plan spans a fifty-year construction period, with the five Dome Cities including those dedicated to ecological research, industrial production, technological research, and of course, cities purely for residence and living.

It can be said that Chen Xin’s concept of building a city by linking small domes together was already part of the original plan. The idea was to combine five Dome Cities into one large city.

However, it seems now that this plan is unlikely to be realized, though the previously identified locations for city-building can still be utilized.

However, Chen Xin has a different opinion. He does not support starting immediately with constructing a new Dome City and suggests that a small dome be built next to the New Dome City first to validate the technology.

After a brief discussion, the upper levels agreed with Chen Xin’s suggestion.

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"Dad, Mom, I’m back." Chen Xin opened the door and greeted his parents.

Although he mostly stays at the Research Center nowadays, Chen Xin still returns to New Dome City every weekend to spend time with his parents.

"You’re back? How’s work going lately?" Chen Xin’s father looked at his son and asked with concern.

"It’s going well. The nation plans to expand a new area in New Dome City, so I’ll be staying here for a while, overseeing the construction." Chen Xin briefly explained to his parents without going into much detail, as he doesn’t like to discuss work with family, especially since much of his work is classified.

Chen Xin’s father didn’t press further, knowing that much of what his son does cannot be disclosed, so he simply showed some concern for Chen Xin and didn’t ask more.

But hearing that a new area is being expanded in New Dome City, Chen Xin’s father was somewhat curious: "Expanding a new area? What’s it for?"

"Mainly for residential purposes. The population density here is too high; it was originally designed to accommodate sixty thousand people, but now there are over ten thousand residents squeezed in, and counting the transient population, the total population is nearing two hundred thousand. Expansion is necessary, or the city will become too cramped." This wasn’t classified information, so Chen Xin explained it to his father.

In fact, these things don’t need secrecy; anyone paying attention in New Dome City could see it.

New Dome City houses the tens of thousands of people relocated from the original urban area, and with the Titan Factory built here to support the war, new infrastructure brought in many workers, making the city prosper but also more crowded.

The living space in the city is limited. Many apartment buildings were rushed to completion without proper planning and design, merely providing shelter without comfort.

Even so, these buildings are full. If not for the wartime conditions suppressing social issues, New Dome City might have already faced many social problems.

Building the new area and redirecting excess population is undoubtedly a favorable move.

"That’s quite good. There are indeed too many people now; even in our small community, you can feel it’s overcrowded." Chen Xin’s father nodded in support of this development.

This sentiment is understandable. Chen Xin’s parents live in one of the first communities built in New Dome City, designed according to original plans, with excellent environment and facilities.

It’s primarily for people from municipal departments and research units to live in, and only because of Chen Xin’s status could his family reside there.

Even in such a community, it’s now full. The planned green areas were not completed in time and were leveled to build temporary housing for migrants.

What was thought to be temporary has now been expanded with two additional floors, occupying the green area and rooftops of the buildings, all crowded with people.

This indicates how overpopulated New Dome City has become.

The government has considered solutions, but the continuous wars in recent years prevented them from focusing on building new accommodations, leaving the problem unresolved, relying on temporary housing to handle it.

Yet, with the expansion of the new area, this issue can finally be resolved.

"Stop chatting, come eat." Chen Xin’s mother placed the dishes on the table, breaking off the conversation between father and son.

Chen Xin and his father stopped talking, got up, and headed to the dining room.

"Wow, it’s a feast today!" Chen Xin exaggeratedly praised the food on the table before picking up his bowl of rice.