Human habitation of the continental shelves would be similar to habitation of the Moon. It was discussed in depth in the 1960s and 70s as our brave, new world, but it would be a very expensive world, one which a person could not properly appreciate -- or survive for that matter -- without proper education and training.

The realm outside your window would be very inhospitable, with death lurking around every corner -- or just outside your front door.

Can we do it?

W'll, hell, yeah! Personally, I’d love to give it a shot.

Will we do it?

Not with the current state of affairs with the surface dwellers, with some who would enjoy seeing such a project fail, and fail catastrophically. The construction of an undersea community, let alone a submerged city, would be fraught with finely defined properties and standards, with pressure control standing as numero uno. Maintenance of the site, of the structures and of the underwater vehicles would have to be ongoing, with cabin leaks and flooding, as well as individual drownings, becoming common tragedies.

We still need to work on:

* logistics
* transportation to, from and through the community
* communication with the surface dwelling public, as well as the inhabitants’ relatives
* recreational facilities
* waste disposal
* security

...and doubtless a great black bog of other issues, some undreamed of, waiting to be hammered out.

One day we’ll be there, but not for a while.