Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have been approached by two local property developers to do some research on integrating AP into new property developments. Our local council is very progressive in this regard and we are the first town in South Africa (that I know of) that will only approve new building plans if the design includes both rain water collection and a solar panel(s).

These developers (who are proposing two totally seperate developments) have heard of my work locally and want to open discussions with council to include a medium size community AP installation to serve a small community in their plans. Food production is very topical right now with prices sky-rocketing. Also training and employment are challenges facing our country and local community. I'm not for a minute saying that AP is the "silver bullet" but it's all slowly starting to make sense to me (and everyone I've spoken to about it)

Does anyone know of any research work that has already been done on integrating Aquaponics into new Property Developments or am I on my own on this one?

I would say you are not on your own. Steem would be interested in this one. I also have a friend in Melbourne who wants to do exactly what you are talking about, but by using water in a central point of the house to create thermal mass ie the fish tanks, and the growbeds outside... interesting, I will direct him to your work. And BTW, just read the thread on your tilapia hatchery. Niiiiice work!

Thanks Monya

Hopefully this sort of project is the start of many Synapto... go for it....

Janet is also talking to a developer in regard to her community housing scheme....

And there are examples of water/plants being incorporated into buildings/clubs homes etc for waste-water management... can't find my bookmarks at the moment, coz my systems down...

Was mentioned fairly recently in a thread.

Sure am!
Not sure how much I can help but you never know...

Passive heating and cooling via green areas...you don't get much greener than an AP garden

There might be more examples of wastewater treatment through plants than there is for AP systems, but they are so similar that you could leverage the work that people have done so far for it.

Hi SM:

This project is interesting, trying the noble goal of going "all the way", might be a source of ideas for you:

http://www.jetsongreen.com/2008/04/commons-project.html

i'm going to build my own house in about 4 years time, once the morgage on this place is almost done and the property market has recovered a bit (entering bust cycle now). I'll be integrating waste water from my bath and laundry using a system of gravel beds and reed beds. i'll also be making my roof an accessible area and growing veggies on there that need full sun. far too much space is wasted in current building projects.