ITYC, Birambye and ISF Mexico have created a multi-phase work
plan, that combines the efforts and capacities of the
three organizations, to develop, build and operate the
CATIS.
Phase 1: Renovation and Completion of Dormitories
and
Services.
Phase 1 will be offered as
a collaborative workshop between ITyC and ISF
Mexico to build a habitable and comfortable living space
for future workshop attendees. ITyC has
already begun construction and renovation of four
buildings on CATIS land as well as one composting
toilet. ISF Mexico will provide five student
volunteers and faculty oversight, while ITyC
will lead and manage the project and simultaneously
provide training and supervision to the student
volunteers. The workshop will complete the
construction of four existing buildings and one
composting toilet, build a second composting toilet, two
showers, grey water filter systems, sinks, cisterns for
water storage, and provide water and electricity from
the well and transformer located on CATIS land.
The Phase 1 workshop is scheduled for September 6th,
2010 – October, 3rd, 2010. Upon
completion of Phase 1, the CATIS site will have the
capacity to house 25 students for more extensive
workshops.
Phase 2: Securing the Property.
Currently, the
CATIS land is used as a thoroughfare for surrounding
communities. To continue with development, the
CATIS property will be secured and pedestrian and
vehicular traffic will be redirected around the
perimeter of the property. Phase 2 will be a
collaborative workshop between ISF Mexico and ITyC
and will take place in February 2011.
Currently 85 meters of a 285 meter wall needs to be
completed, and another wall of 130 meters needs to be
built. Four gates need to be installed. We have
already installed 1100 meters of fencing around the rest
of the property.
Phase 3A: Infrastructure Development Plan.
ISF Mexico will
identify at least 5 to 6 undergraduate and graduate
students to develop the water distribution and
sanitation plan under the supervision of ISF directors.
ITyC has provided ISF Mexico with the necessary
land maps and plans and will provide assistance to the
students in the water plan for the agricultural and
domestic needs of the Institute. It is expected
that the students will use this plan as their final
thesis for graduation. The water storage and use plan
will be a hybrid system utilizing the existing well as a
supplement to rain-water catchment and other sustainable
methods of water conservation. The goal is to pump
as little water as possible, ultimately none, from the
aquifer. The students and ISF directors will also
research and design an appropriate sanitation system.
ITyC, ISF Mexico and Birambye
will work together to develop the electrical plan in
Phase 3A as well. The electrical plan will be developed
as a hybrid system using the current CFE transformer as
auxiliary to renewable energy sources. The work for this
phase will begin in August, 2010 and is expected to be
completed by early February, 2011.
Phase 3B: Installation of Infrastructure.
In Phase 3B, ITyC, Birambye and ISF Mexico will work together with students
and local skilled labor to install the infrastructure
plan developed in Phase 3A. The installation of
the infrastructure is expected to be completed no later
than July, 2011.
Phase 4: Construction of the CATIS central building.
With suitable
living conditions for volunteers and students, a secure
area to work and infrastructure in place, we will be ready to break ground on the
CATIS central building by early August, 2011. The CATIS central building will
include 2 conference halls, classrooms, kitchen, 12
toilets, 3 showers, a library and offices. The
core building will have the classroom and dining
capacity for up to 50 students.
Phase 5: and on.
We have identified several other areas of
collaboration aside from the construction of the first four phases of the CATIS.
These include a bridge plan to improve access to the
CATIS site and surrounding communities during the rainy season, riverbank stabilization
and conservation workshops, a trash and waste management
plan and the further development of the CATIS (i.e.
more dormitories, agricultural development, etc.).