Modular Paths: Designing Walkways for Health

Construction Harvest Trim Shape Lash Assemble

1. Layering bamboo gives the path more bouyancy and traction.

2. Native floating vegetation adds biodiversity and creates habitat.

3. Verticle poles lock the modular paths into one plane of motion.

4. Bamboo frames the vegetation neatly, provding a sense of order and adding aesthetic value.

5. Horizontal poles prevent the path from touching the ground in the low river season, resulting in a slower decomposition rate.

Expected Health Outcomes

Reduce Trips and Falls

Building new stable paths with better traction can help reduce trips and falls in the community. Many community members do not have access to healthcare, leaving them at risk of more extreme injuries after a fall.

Decrease Waterborne Pathogens

Floating plants absorb bacteria in the water, reducing E.coli and Cholera. Cholera levels in Claverito are at 7700 CFU/100 ml.

This is over 6,000% more than reccomended by the EPA.

Decrease Vector-borne Dieases

Vegetation provides habitat for mosquito predators such as frogs and dragonflies. This aids in reducing their population in the community resulting in a lower chance of people contracting vector-borne diseases.

Increase Biodiversity

Increased vegetation will establish habitat for more animals such as frogs, spiders, dragonflies, and butterflies.

Decrease Depression and Anxiety

The new path system will allow people to leave their homes during inclimate weather, reducing social isolation. Additionally, it will increase the safety in their community, resulting in a decrease of environmental stressors.