In a world where construction often disregards the natural environment, resources are consumed unsustainably, leading to environmental degradation. There is an urgent need to plan infrastructure that integrates with the ecosystem, ensuring optimal resource use and minimizing environmental impact.

Effective land development planning focuses on harmonizing infrastructure with the natural landscape, using local resources, improving groundwater recharge and leveraging unique geological and topographical features.

In the framework of the OKA Lab campus, we aim to research, test and develop solutions to integrate infrastructure with the environment. Planning sustainable land development that involves collaboration across various disciplines is the first step towards building a future where the community, infrastructure and natural landscape coexist in harmony.

The first campus will be located in the center of Portugal, where we have access to 10 hectares of land. The land starts from scratch and contains minimal infrastructure, olive groves, several water points and wild areas.

This space is the ideal use case to develop a prototype of a self-sufficient OKA Lab that will serve as a place for living, research, testing and exchange for the students. This prototype aims to develop and validate the Lab model and the set of systems. When the model is matured, it can be replicated elsewhere.

First, there is a need to conduct research about the infrastructure and plan it. This is where the involvement of the students will begin, with the planning of the campus environment. It starts with projects related to the development of the terrain, such as water retention and reforestation, and projects related to the planning of the campus infrastructure, such as living spaces, workshops and utilities.

Once this is done, students can start with projects related to the primary topics of water, shelter, food and power. Later, the campus can open up to other disciplines such as tourism, art and so on.

The primary goal of this initiative is to develop a comprehensive and adaptable land development plan that integrates the local natural features and benefits from it.

An essential component of a healthy ecosystem is water retention, which helps improve groundwater levels by slowing down and distributing water across a specific area. This can be achieved by controlling the flow of water through the construction of contour trenches in suitable locations. Such a project must also consider other topographical features, including the placement of roads, buildings and utilities, to ensure an integrated and effective water management system.

Additionally, we need to identify natural zones to integrate infrastructure with the surrounding ecosystem, minimizing environmental impact. When designing infrastructure, it is crucial to use planning tools that lead to practical solutions for building and maintaining water retention systems and natural habitats. Roads play a vital role in distributing resources that can be transported via cables or pipes. To reduce complexity and cost, we propose creating a modular road system that can transport various resources and seamlessly integrate with other infrastructure components, such as water retention systems.

Moreover, the flow of resources can be monitored with sensors, providing crucial data to optimize the overall system. We also aim to explore the local production of construction materials, such as gravel and sand, to support sustainable development.

Key Points:

1. Water Retention: Slow down and distribute water to improve groundwater levels.
2. Integrated Planning: Consider topographical features and natural zones to minimize environmental impact.
3. Modular Infrastructure: Develop a modular road system for efficient resource transport and integration with other systems.
4. Resource Distribution: Efficiently distribute resources such as power, clean water and wastewater throughout the campus.
5. Local Production: Explore local sourcing of construction materials to enhance sustainability.
6. Resource Monitoring: Use sensors to gather data on resource flow and optimize system performance.

Water Retention Planning

1. Contour Trench Design and Implementation

   • Objective: Design and implement contour trenches for effective water retention and distribution.
   • Disciplines: Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Hydrology.

2. Retention Pond Construction

   • Objective: Plan and construct retention ponds to manage stormwater and improve groundwater levels.
   • Disciplines: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Landscape Architecture.

Architectural Planning

3. Sustainable Building Design

   • Objective: Develop architectural designs for sustainable living spaces, workshops and utility buildings.
   • Disciplines: Architecture, Sustainable Design, Urban Planning.

4. Eco-Friendly Construction Techniques

   • Objective: Research and implement eco-friendly construction techniques and materials.
   • Disciplines: Construction Management, Environmental Engineering, Material Science.

Environmental Integration

5. Natural Habitat Preservation

   • Objective: Identify and preserve natural habitats within the campus to support biodiversity.
   • Disciplines: Ecology, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture.

6. Green Space Planning

   • Objective: Plan and integrate green spaces into the campus design to enhance quality of life and promote sustainability.
   • Disciplines: Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Environmental Science.

Roads and Infrastructure Planning

7. Modular Road System Design

   • Objective: Design a modular road system that supports efficient transport of resources and minimizes environmental impact.
   • Disciplines: Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Engineering.

8. Resource Transport Networks

   • Objective: Develop networks for transporting resources such as power and water through the campus, ensuring integration with other infrastructure systems.
   • Disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering.

Resource Distribution Planning

9. Power Distribution System

   • Objective: Design and implement a sustainable power distribution system for the campus.
   • Disciplines: Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Engineering.

10. Water and Wastewater Management

    • Objective: Develop systems for the efficient distribution of clean water and management of wastewater.
    • Disciplines: Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering.

11. Resource Monitoring and Optimization

    • Objective: Use sensors and technology to monitor and optimize the flow of resources throughout the campus.
    • Disciplines: Computer Engineering, Environmental Science, Systems Engineering.

https://www.tamera.org/water-retention-landscape/