Nature as building partner
Constructing massive international ports and creation of nature reservations may seem two contradictory developments. Focusing on one will be detrimental to the other. But it doesn’t have to be so. In fact: nature can be co-constructor in large infrastructural projects.
image by Isabel Galvez
Ports are often built with hard transitions between land and water such as breakwaters, vertical sheet piling, deepened fairways and lock complexes. It seems an unavoidable consequence of the technical requirements for ports. But that doesn’t have to be the case. The Building with Nature approach invented by Ecoshape takes into account the local ecosystem, which benefits not only the economy but also nature.
Applying the Building with Nature approach port builders use the forces of nature, such as currents, wind and plant growth and give space to ecosystem development. It can be applied to reduce flood risk and improve sediment management creating natural slopes enhancing wave attenuation, optimising dredging strategies and flow patterns. Additional benefits include the creation of attractive, green living environments within the densely populated cities ports are often situated.