Possible+Locations+for+Settlement

=Possible locations for settlement=

= = = = = = =Final Recommendations= S.M.I.TE National Team representatives for the whole island decided the above locations would be the best settlement places. The circles on the map above represent the following:

A7 Port – After much discussion this was chosen as the area was protected from the winds and had sufficient cover to form a safe port for importing and exporting goods and services. Another important factor was that this location was closer to one of the main rivers that supports many of the other settlements we will be creating. The possibility of moving goods up and down this river formed part of this consideration. From the port, we will also have fishing boats going out and in to fully utilise the renewable resource of seafood (as long as we do not over fish of course).

B4 Livestock - B4 was the initial place for livestock to be introduced to the Island. As there are intermittant lakes on the Island, these could be very beneficial when full, for the livestock on the Island - therefore we must also consider having a farming community with livestock in he C6 area to utilise this valuable resource. B3 Crops – This was seen as a good place to grow crops that can be harvested for use within the Island as well as an exporting good. Please see 'sustainable farming' for examples of crops that are available on the Island, and ones that we will continue to grow in the B3 regional community. Flax, which can be used in a multitude of ways (preservative, oil, food) can and will grow well in this area.

A5 Rice - This was the initial location. However, we believe that a better place to harvest rice would be in the C2 region. C2 is on a cliff and it was advised that rice will grow better here. Furthermore, we believe other products such as yams will grow extremely well in this area too. Furthermore, C2 could potentially be home to a valuable energy source - hydroelectricty. Additionally, we can look at harvesting pineapples, bananas, figs, nuts and papaya from this area.

C4 Lumber – C4 is a good area to gather lumber and regrow the area with fast growing pines for sustainable farming of wood. It is hopefully possible to transport wood down the river to places like the port which will be the first major infrastructure needed to be built. As a renewable resource, we could also introduce bamboo, which will grow well here.

C5 Capital – We thought this might be a great central location for the capital. Here we will have a community centre and the offices of parliament. We will also look at other fundamentally important infrastructure that will be needed in this central location (doctors, hospital, police station). = = =**Current recommendations - 29th July 2011**=

Group decision: D4- First landing spot for establishment of 6 colonies. Exact location of 6 colonies will depend on numbers to be settled which has not been given to us yet. The Economist would like to be evenly distributed for easy transport of goods, services and people. All group members believe that this is a good starting point.

Justification:

D4 provides a safe landing zone to begin life on the Island. We believe that it is imperative to keep the sense of community amongst the first settlers during intial settlement to support each other for the challenges of survival in the first year.

The chosen destination is close to the beach to access fish, coconuts, yams and crabs. The river is within close acess to the community in order to provide clean and safe drinking water. Furthermore, the access to the rivers allows transport to various aspects of the Isalnd that allow for farming and further investigation into developing the land. Additionally is it close to the rain forest and woodland areas in order to utilise the trees for building (although somewhat not sustainable). Also access to Kapok trees for clothing and bananas for food.

=Numerous factors=

There are numerous influencing factors that must be considered when deciding on the 6 most logical areas to build the settlements for the citizens who will soon be arriving on The Island. These include: -


 * 1) Food – Where can we develop farms? Where can we fish? How can we access the fruit and vegetables already growing on the Island? How can food be brought to the Island?
 * 2) Buildings – Where is the best place to build? Are there slopes, mountains? Are there flat areas? Is there any risk of building where Natural disaster could strike again? Where will the materials for building come from?
 * 3) Transport – How will we move around the island? How will food and building material be transported to the Island? Can we move between the settlements?
 * 4) Communication – A vital aspect to building any settlement. How will communication occur on the island. Will there be phones, faxes, mobile phones, internet. Will we need to build towers? How else can we communicate?
 * 5) Accessibility – As noted above, we need to be able to access the Island. Can we get access with boats, helicopters, cars, trucks, cranes? Where can we build jetties, roads, tunnels etc. without causing too much damage to the Island.
 * 6) Protection – We need to protect the citizens from further natural disasters. Where is the best protection for them, yet where can we build easily?
 * 7) Growth – Are there any areas in which we could build, yet allow for growth and development for future immigrants to the Island?
 * 8) Where can we generate energy/power from?
 * 9) Where will clean / sanitised water come from?
 * 10) Where will we dispose of human waste?

So many different factors to consider. So our recommendations are...

Larry Zimmer -Agricultural Scientist
Hi Team. I was thinking wind turbines and agriculture in the West all over to the C7 grid, with settlements in the East (parts of B & C, 8 & 9). We have to be careful that the sea may continue to rise. I do not want people polluting the richness of the east. I am really worried about the wind turbines being there as the birds may be at risk. But this area does have the wind. The soil here (in the west) is volcanic and just about anything will grow it (as long as we do not over farm it). The land to the right of C7 could have six clusters for settlements. What does everyone else think?

I think when looking at places like crystal waters they have shown a working system where clustering the housing works well (instead of scattering everyone across the island). Professionally it is integral that we maximise the best farming land available for food production and land recovery. It makes no sense to take away good productive land by building on it. Unless we want to be radical and suggest that we become nomadic? This could be a wonderful solution to looking after all the land?? Your thoughts please.

Beau Johnson- Civil Engineer
As listed below by my fellow Team Vortex members there are many factors to consider for human settlement within this Island.

Being an Engineer, one of my strengths is to able to recognise suitable placing and creation of buildings.

Buildings-housing/apartments/high rise buildings:
 * what the soil feels like, the foundation of this is very important as we need to consider and test whether it is safe to build upon.
 * The structure of these buildings is another important factor, remembering how many buildings will be built, size, height.
 * We need to think about not overtaking entire space of the Island as it will be needed for other facilities.
 * And lastly position and location as near the sea may impact on materials such as corrosion because of the sea breeze (salt water).

Lillian Kromsky – “//**News of the Island”**//
= = **Natural Disaster Turns to Island Paradise** When tragedy strikes and the home that is your safe haven has been swallowed by mother nature's fury, where do you turn to? S.M.I.T.E's Task Force Leader Eva De Struction has commenced a significant investigation into helping the citizens who have been affected by Natural Disaster's to migrate to the yet to be named Island. The Island will offer these desperate and homeless citizens the chance to rebuild their lives in this currently inhabited paradise. However, it is fundamental to offer these citizens food, shelter, communication, safety and protection whilst remaining sustainable for future life on the Island. We must ask ourselves, what is the most proficient manner in which to achieve this.

The experts from Team Vortex have been assigned the enormous task of making the Island habitable. Team Vortex's diverse range of experts will according to Fern Lovegood 'successfully, effectively and efficiently breath new life into the Island'. Larry Zimmer will 'ensure that there is little impact from human settlement on the Island and all that it has to offer'. Beau Johnson will ensure that 'the buildings and the land on which they built, are strong and protective, yet made from renewable resources allowing for growth and development whilst impacting minimally on the Island'. The economist, Audrey Wyatt has said the Islanders have nothing to worry about whilst she is at the helm of the ship. I, Lillian Kromsky, as part of Team Vortex will keep you informed.

I think a nomadic lifestyle would be ideal in conserving the environment as well as being sustainable. The rich soil in the west is brilliant for growing crops, but if we over farm it, we will surely use up all the incredible nutrients, thus having a detrimental effect on the environment and the wildlife that inhabit it. We will also have to work harder to provide for ourselves, considering the sacrifice we have taken for comfort early on. Embracing sustainability means thinking twice about what we need and how we go about obtaining it, whilst remaining respectful to our surroundings. If we adopt a nomadic lifestyle, we will benefit from a variety and abundance of crops, freedom from confines of permanent housing, a closer community, while lessoning our impact on the environment we inhabit.
 * Fern Lovegood- Ecologist **

**6 Possible Locations for Human Settlement on the Island**

Considerations, Possible problems, Hindrances and Beneficial Information a) how many people initiallty to build a working cumminuty with food resources and shelter b) will everyone be physically able to assist in builing and food gathering? c) how long will it take to establish a communitiy? d) growth of population? (death rate increase due to lack of medical facilities) e) at what point will the community expand? f) will someone be incharge of different aspects? i.e. resources, biulding... g) power and transport? h) supply and demand (food?) i) what will infrastruster be made of? j) How many people can the Isalnd sutain? Looking at growth rates and death rates, how many people can we bring to the Isalnd? > a) These will help draw birds away from the wind turbines. > b) Diseases could possibly come from the mosquitoes > c) No drainage in the soil making it very difficult to farm around > d) Would be great conditions for growing rice, but the swamps are near the ocean, therefore probably too salty. > e) Due to it being a miniature ecosystem on its own, we would not want to destroy it > a) Access to Ocean to go fishing > b) Can catch crabs > c) Coconuts can be collected > d) Necessary jetties can be built from the shoreline > a) Travel and transport up and down the rivers > b) Fresh drinking water / potable water supply > c) Fish can be caught for food > d)Washing and cleaning can be done in the river, but will contaminate the waters > e)The rivers provide accessibility to other areas of the Island f) Are there rocks effecting the flow of the water g) How far upstream from the ocean does the water become potable? > a) Volcano > b) Landslides and Erosion > c) Flooding > d) Earthquakes > e)Tropical Storms > a) Flax – High in Omega 3 fatty acids for humans, creates linen clothing, preservative on wood > b) Cotton – Clothing, stitching, bedding, > c) Kapok – Similar to cotton. Grows in the rainforest > d) Pandanus – Edible Fruit > e) Bananas > f) Coconuts > g) Yams – however these need nutrient rich loose soil, ample drainage and grown best on banks and hillsides > h) Fish > a) Need flatter surfaces to make it easier to build on and access > b) Need to find areas where there will be less habitat destruction > c) Set back from the unrelenting ocean > d) Accessibility to the rivers and ocean > e) Accessibility to building materials > f) Accessibility to farming areas a) There are numerous tree that can be utilised for building, but many of them are not 'renewable resources' i.e walnut, cedar etc. With these considerations the 6 settlements should be placed accordingly. Therefore to make sure that they create minimal destruction on the land and already thriving eco systems as well as having access to building materials, clean water, food, farming areas, plantations they should be placed:
 * **Survival questions**
 * **Swamps.**
 * **Sandy Beaches**
 * **Rivers**
 * **Natural Disasters**
 * **Farming**
 * **Land**
 * **Trees**
 * B4 – East of the River
 * B6 – North of the River
 * B6 - South of the River
 * C5/D5 – East of the River and West of the intermittent lake
 * C8 – West of the River
 * C3 – Woodland Area