Infrastructure design for a housing project

Contents 1. Abstract...................................................................................................... 3 2. Introduction ............................................................................................... 3 3. Study Area ................................................................................................. 4 4. Research Methodology ............................................................................... 4 5. Data Input .................................................................................................. 5 6. Sectors of Infrastructure ............................................................................ 6 6.1. Solid waste ............................................................................................. 6 6.2. Water..................................................................................................... 9 6.2.1. Water Distribution ................................................................................. 9 6.2.2. Wastewater treatment - Sewerage systems ........................................... 10 6.2.3. Drainage water system ......................................................................... 12 6.3. Energy & electricity .............................................................................. 14 6.4. Greenery .............................................................................................. 17 6.5. Street Circulation .................................................................................. 18 6.6. FTTH .................................................................................................. 18 7. Results ...................................................................................................... 20 8. References ................................................................................................ 21

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1. Abstract This report is tackling the designing of infrastructural elements, which is a requirement for the course “introduction of Infrastructure”, to increase our knowledge in planning and implementing the infrastructure in it. By taking into consideration all of the surrounding and to create a sustainable neighborhood, a site in Birzeit Welfare for a housing project were taking to our study in order to plan and design the different infrastructure elements. Our role in this project aims to achieve a good planning process for the public facilities elements in the neighborhood, concentrating on the solid waste, roads and the different public facilities which includes education, recreational and health facilities.

2. Introduction Infrastructure defined as the general term for the basic physical systems of a business, region or nation. Examples of infrastructure include communication network, transportation systems, water, sewage and electric systems. To achieve sustainable infrastructure people need to link infrastructure planning with urban planning process.

This project emphasizes the importance of infrastructural elements in the planning process. It aims to design the main infrastructure elements and each one of them has an impact on the social and environmental life. In this project we will define the infrastructural elements in the study area through the calculations for the needed amount, while taking into consideration the universal standards.

The research is divided into sectors, the first sector is about solid waste management which includes the process of solid waste gathering, the suitable number of garbage containers needed to be placed. Then we will discuss the waste water network and drinking water in how it will be designed in the area.

After that, energy and electricity will be discussed with applying new sustainable methods to reduce energy consumption.

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3. Study Area The study area is located on the western side in Birzeit town in Ramallah municipality / Palestine with an area about 27 donums. 25 semi-detached buildings are located in the land, each building has 3 to 4 floors, and each floor has 2 apartments.

Figure (1): Aerial photo shows the located site with landmark Source: Google earth Map (1): A site plan for the area.

Source: Researchers using AutoCAD

4. Research Methodology The approach that was used to collect and interpret data in order to meet the basic science objectives. This was achieved by the researcher using the empirical approach and analyzing previous sources and literature from books, science articles and blogs that are explicitly and indirectly linked to all areas of the world with the issue of infrastructure elements.

In order to build a simple view of the subject, and then to install and collect data on the parameters and sectors joining the subject and evaluate it through the (AutoCAD) software, then achieve the results by measuring the necessary laws and requirements and using Geomolg to obtain maps.

Data collection Page. 4

Data input

Data calculations & design

Results

5. Data Input     

50 semi-detached buildings with terracing typology.

Lower building = 3 floors Higher building = 4 floors Apartments in each floor = 2 apartments Total Population in neighborhood = 815 person

Map (2): Number of floors plan for the area Source: Researchers using AutoCAD

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6. Sectors of Infrastructure 6.1. Solid waste Solid waste is the useless, unwanted and discarded material resulting from day to day activities in the community. Solid waste management may be defined as the discipline associated with the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer, processing and disposal of solid waste. (Mishra, Mishra, Tiwari. 2014) Solid disposal in landfill is a problem that should be considered especially how dangerous is the leachate and fecal sludge coming from it and the appropriate ways of solid disposal into sewerage and drainage systems which could have risk the groundwater pollution. (N, Mahmoud. 2020( Disposal of solid waste should be based on Environmental protection rules (reduce, recycle, reuse and recover), the activities associated with the management of municipal solid waste from the point of generation to final disposal can be grouped into the six functional elements: (Mishra, Mishra, Tiwari. 2014)

1- Waste generation 2- Storage 3- Collection 4- Transportation 5- Segregation & Processing 6- Disposal In this report, we will calculate the number of waste containers needed for the neighborhood, based on basic criteria, and on the number of residents of the designed neighborhood, as this process is represented as follows: Solid waste quantities: 1. Solid waste production: 1.25 kg/p.d 2. Bulk density of domestic solid waste is (150) kg/m3 3. Container volume: 1.10 m3 4. Average number of people in each family = 5 people 5. The entire residential building has 3-4 floors The number of inhabitants in the neighborhood = 815 person

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Solution: -Total consumption of individuals= 815 person* 1.25 = 1018.75 kg\person -Consumption of the building per week= 1018.75 * 7days = 7131.25 kg.day\person -The number of containers needed for the building, if disposed of them once a week = 6482.9 / 150 = 43 container -If the waste is disposed of twice a week = 43/ 2 = 22 container From the previous calculations, it was found that the number of garbage containers needed for this neighborhood is (22) containers, taking into account that they will be collected twice a week.

Figure (2): Solid waste management Source: Researchers

In this project, a sustainable policy of waste collection, separation and treatment will be adopted; as this project relied on separating waste for treatment and recycling. Whereas, those containers distributed in the neighborhood will be divided into two sections from the inside: (look at figure 3)  The first section: is devoted to organic materials, including food, fruit and vegetable residues; and that is to be used and used as an organic fertilizer for agriculture, trees and plants.  The second section: is manufactured waste products.

Figure (3): Solid waste separation Source: https://byjus.com/biology/solid-wastemanagement/

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Map (3): Garbage container location Source: Researchers using AutoCAD

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6.2. Water Water management is the control and movement of water resources to minimize damage to life and property and to maximize efficient beneficial use. Good water management of dams and levees reduces the risk of harm due to flooding. (Natural Resources Conservation Service- Water Management)

6.2.1. Water Distribution A water distribution system is a part of a water supply network with components that carry potable water from a centralized treatment plant or wells to water consumers in order to adequately deliver water to satisfy residential, commercial, and industrial. (Drinking water distribution systems: assessing and reducing risks. National Academies Press. 2006)

A water distribution system consists of pipelines, storage facilities, pumps, and other accessories. ("Water Distribution". Britannica Encyclopedia. Retrieved 6 October 2019) In this project, we designed a network of water distribution that contain Pipelines laid within public right of way called water mains are used to transport water within a distribution system ,and these pipelines (600 inch). This network is represented in map (4).

Map (4): Water distribution system Source: Researchers using AutoCAD

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6.2.2. Wastewater treatment - Sewerage systems A sewerage system, or wastewater collection system, is a network of pipes, pumping stations, and appurtenances that convey sewage from its points of origin to a point of treatment and disposal. (https://www.britannica.com/technology/wastewatertreatment/Sewerage-systems)

In this project, a sewage network was designed for the residential neighborhood, and this network was linear grid and closed network, that reaches all houses. This network consists of (8 inch) diameter tubes. This network represent in map (5).

Also, this project relied on connecting the drainage network with septic tank; for water treatment (Look at figure (4)).

Wastewater quantities: To calculate graywater per capita output.

- Per capita Grey Water ratio =80% -Per capita water consumption per day= 150L Solution: Total water consumption in the neighborhood =815person×150 = 122250 L\person. Day Total greywater production in neighborhood = 80% ×122250 = 97800 L In m^3 = 97800\1000= 97.8 m^3 Production in year= 97.8×365 = 35697 m^3

Figure (4): Septic tank Source: https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems

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Map (5): Sewage system Source: Researchers using AutoCAD

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6.2.3. Drainage water system Drainage is the method of removing surface or subsurface water from a given area.

Drainage systems include all of the piping within a private or public property that conveys sewage, rainwater, and other liquid waste to a point of disposal .

Residential drainage systems remove excess water from residential areas. This system helps whisk water away from walkways, driveways, and roofs to avoid flooding. Residential drainage systems are very important as they prevent rotting, mold, mildew, and structural damage in buildings from a buildup of water. (https://www.schoolofpe.com/blog/2017/08/basic-types-of-residential-drainage-systems.html).

In this project , we adopted drainage water adopted on contour lines and street pattern and construction , rainwater will meet at the lowest point in the area , having a green structure contributes in absorbing the water especially in the buffer zone Which trees depend on absorbing wastewater in the site .

In each rooftop there will be a pipe for rainwater fall, which is connected to the surface water system. Palestinian Water Authority. (2020)

Figure (5): Material that used for the streets Source: Pinterest

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Map (6): Drainage water Source: Researchers using AutoCAD

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6.3. Energy & electricity While planning for energy we need to take into consideration the environmental aspects, so that we design a neighborhood environmentally friendly, as a result of sustainable communities which combine energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. Taking into consideration the energy ministry by law.

Electricity is the backbone of life, industry and development, and it has become one of the requirements of production and what the current scientific revolution has reached, except thanks to the existence of electricity, its technologies, preservation and rationalization, a societal responsibility Therefore, attention and focus must be placed on the optimal use of electrical energy resources, as the optimal use of electrical energy resources is a set of procedures or techniques that lead to reducing energy consumption without compromising the comfort or productivity of individuals and the use of energy when it is truly needed, as improving energy efficiency and rationalization Its consumption does not mean preventing energy consumption as much as it means using this energy in a more efficient manner, thus reducing its waste.

Rationalizing the use of electric energy offers many benefits, including:  Reducing the subscriber's electricity bill.  Avoid shedding loads at peak times and in the period when energy demand increases.  Supporting the energy-saving equipment industry, especially from local production, in a way that helps in developing the national economy as a whole.  Reducing the investments needed to establish new projects and directing them towards improving service quality.  In this project, a solar panel system was adopted based on standards and calculations, as this type of system helps to save energy and increase sustainable energy efficiency, and the LED system was adopted in street lighting in order to improve energy efficiency in the neighborhood, and the calculations were made to know the neighborhood's need of cells The housing capacity of this system, and the calculations were as follows: Monthly consumption = daily consumption *30 days = 300/30 = 10 kW /day Should be produced in an average of 5 hour then: 10/5= 2kw per hour.

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Monocrystalline cells which are made of silicon production by meter square is around 150W/hours which is around 1.5 kW per meter square and the cell area is 1.25 meter.

Then: The area of cells needed = average consumption per hour / production of a meter square = 10kw / 1.5kw = 7 cell boards  In case of storage or rise of consumption to 400kw we will need 9 cells then  The area equal = 1.25m2 * 9 = 11.25 m2 And to calculate roughly, the board cost around 200 dollar each which equal to 200*9 = 1800 dollar.

And we also need cables and wires which are roughly around 1500 USD. 700 dollars for an inverter.

And we need around 10 batteries 200A which are 350 dollar per battery.

Then sum = 1500+1500+1800+350 = 7550 Dollar. (JDECO, 2019) How do solar panels work to generate electricity?

In order to allow current to flow from the silicon cells, a typical solar panel (also known as a solar module) consists of a sheet of silicon cells, a metal frame, a glass casing, and separate wiring. In the following simpler stages, the photovoltaic process works: As the sun's rays interact with the silicon cell, the silicon photovoltaic solar cell receives solar radiation, electrons continue to travel, causing a flow of electric current Wires trap and feed this direct current (DC) electricity to a solar inverter to transform it to alternating current (AC) electricity. We’ve put together an infographic below to explain how solar panels work as shown in figure (5).https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-work/

Figure (5): Solar energy Source: https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-work/

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Map (7): Street lighting & solar panels location Source: Researchers using AutoCAD

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6.4. Greenery They are the most beautiful elements of the green fabric, and they are responsible for making any void of urban spaces beautiful and vibrant, and this element is employed in residential neighborhoods in the movement corridors for vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles, and also in public gardens, green spaces and open spaces, where it works to enhance these The areas in the residential neighborhood, and also this element is present at the neighborhood level in the home gardens, as the space surrounding the building greatly affects the thermal behavior and the air movement inside the space itself, so the phenomenon of temperature difference around the building affects greatly. So when planting trees around the building, you must take into consideration the height of the tree and its distance from the building, so that the distance of the tree from the building increases in the event of its increase in height, and trees are planted close to the walls, especially in the buffer zone, which is the area confined between the trees and the walls of the building, so this area is like a natural insulation and prevents the transmission of high heat to the inside of the building.

In this project, the distance between each tree and the other is 6 meters was used in order to maintain clarity visibility and provision of shaded areas and attractions along pedestrian paths or bicycle paths.

In this project, we used multiple types of trees and shrubs, as the Jacaranda and Washingtonia trees were chosen for the sidewalks of the streets, where the trees are used to block the vision, as the windbreaks, and as visual attractions, while we used the japonica plant in the central islands and between residential buildings, as the shrubs are used to block the low vision and as a fence to confirm the sound, as well as a fence and a fence. The path of the road, as for the ground vegetation, it softens the air temperature, stabilizes the soil and prevents it from eroding, and increases the permeability of the soil to water and air.

Figure (6): Roof garden and Buffer zone Source: Pinterest

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6.5. Street Circulation We created cycling paths in the road and that’s due to the contour lines which allows us to create such path. On the pedestrian side, another path were designed with appropriate greenery.

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Figure (7): Street section in the site Source: Researchers

6.6. FTTH FTTH's distinguishing attribute is that it explicitly binds optical fibers to homes. For most or all last-mile telecommunications, it incorporates visual fiber.

The key advantage of FTTH is:  Increased network efficiency, especially higher long distance speeds that cannot be achieved by the older approach of using coaxial cables, twisted pair conductors and DSL.  FTTH is regarded by analysts as the right technology to handle user network demands in the coming decades owing to its substantially higher band width.  Allows multiple upgrades without having to replace the fiber, causing some to call FTTH "future proof." Without having to update the fiber itself, the infrastructure around the fiber can be updated.  Better speeds over longer distances than previous technologies.

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Map (8): FTTH Network Source: Researchers using AutoCAD

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7. Results In conclusion, Infrastructure is one of the most important interrelated structural elements that must be taken into account in every country to improve it, as it works to provide a framework that supports the overall structure of development, and the development of the country or region. Therefore, in this project, we have planned an infrastructure with all its elements for a residential neighborhood, and its planning relied on forming a sustainable green infrastructure. To facilitate the turnover of the social process and daily life in general; this is to achieve the primary goal of creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly residential neighborhood. The main objective was achieved by relying on various infrastructure elements represented in (waste collection and management, electricity and sustainable energy, water in general and its distribution, sewage treatment and rainwater drainage mainly, mobility, communications), where the principles of low development were relied upon Impact (LID), and for buildings to be (Zero-net energy building ), and a focus on environmentally friendly methods for the health of the natural ecosystem, especially rainwater management and reliance on the principle of green spaces in the street such as trees and on the implemented materials from which the streets are designed to implement rainwater through them and protect from floods And taking into account the drainage and treatment of wastewater, the most important methods that have been followed to create a sustainable green infrastructure for the neighborhood is to rely on an increase in the green component of the neighborhood. In order to preserve the environment and the beauty of the neighborhood, by planting appropriate trees on the sidewalks, and designing green roofs on the buildings that also help to increase social cohesion between individuals.

In short, through our planning of the infrastructure elements in the neighborhood, we have concluded good quality, healthy, sustainable and safe life.

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8. References  Drinking water distribution systems: assessing and reducing risks. National Academies Press. (2006)  Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) For Roads Rehabilitation Subprojects  https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-work/  https://www.britannica.com/technology/wastewatertreatment/Sewerage-systems  https://www.schoolofpe.com/blog/2017/08/basic-types-of-residential-drainagesystems.html  JDECO. (2019)  Mishra, Mishra, Tiwari. )2014( International Journal of Research in Advent Technology  N, Mahmoud. )2020( Infrastructure planning considerations  Natural Resources Conservation Service- Water Management  Palestinian Water Authority. (2020)  Water Distribution. Britannica Encyclopedia. (2019)

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