AIRPORT NBS ZONE |
The environmental strategy for this greenfield airport focuses on nature-based solutions (NBS), targeted to reach 10% of the airport surface area, or 350 hectares. The specific 150-hectare NBS zone in the northwest sector is reserved for the ultimate phase of development after 2035; in the interim the zone can be used for a light NBS development. The NBS zone helps to ensure autonomy in resources, prevent adverse impacts on the surroundings, and compensate for the 3 100 hectares that will be developed and rendered largely impermeable and devoid of natural ecosystems.
The pre-concept for the NBS zone proposes the following uses:
The pre-concept for the NBS zone proposes the following uses:
- Landscape restoration of existing watercourse with 200-meter band of native vegetation, to ensure rainwater retention, healthy soil, and carbon absorption. The vegetation mix will be studied to ensure aviation security.
- Planted retention basins for stormwater management, with natural treatment/depollution of wastewater.
- Flexible 1-ha agri-solar grid integrating solar farm and food farm over a total of 60-ha, with intensive vegetable gardens between or below solar panel rows. The farm will provision airport food services and airline catering.
- Flexible 4-ha grid for agriculture as practiced locally: maize, sorghum, barley, wheat and sunflowers.
- NBS support facilities -- power sub-stations, farming storage and tools, administration -- in an agroforestry setting.
- Central composting facility to treat green organic waste from airport food services and agricultural cuttings.