EWB Challenge | Queries regarding 1.2

Challenges

This topic has 5 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 2 days, 2 hours ago by Evelyn Todio.

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13/04/2026 at 8:43 pm #10108
Nazia Rezaee
Participant
Hi,

Me and my team had a couple queries regarding the 1.2 topic.

Firstly, is the focus of the design encouraged to focus on improving the durability of the fencing, as if durability is improved, it will mean less repairs the rangers have to undergo, thus reducing ranger workload as stated, or is there a larger focus we should focus on. Or must we fulfil all areas causing high maintenence and issues, such as weather, corrosion, livestock and durability issues (as stated on the reply to my previous question in this forum).

Secondly, is it sufficent to just focus on fencing for the livestock, such as the cows which are sold as due to this being a source of revenue for the community, it is important to improve its efficency. Or is it necessary/would you recommend also focusing on other fencing, like keeping out wild animals and/or fencing surrounding homes or infrastructure possibly. There is a large possibility for fencing, so we wanted to know if we could pick one, like the keeping the livestock contained, or if it had to apply to all scenarios including fencing.

Also, would it be ok to have a larger estimated upfront cost and also workload for my teams proposed idea, though assume/through some research, that long term it would be worth it as it can be seen as a investment in btoh money, and time.

Lastly, Lama Lama is far from many local businesses. Can we assume that if we are able to get the components shipped, and if the design is simple, the rangers would be happy and skilled to set it up, or would it better to bring in contractors, though could be more expensive and difficult due to the geographical location of Lama Lama.

Me and my team would appreciate any help on these queries!

Thanks!
15/04/2026 at 11:06 am #10111
Evelyn Todio
Keymaster
Hi Nazia,

Thank you for your questions. You’ve raised some points which emphasise the complexities of working in remote communities.

In response to your first two points, the design areas are all quite broad and aim to provide students with potential ideas. Many, if not all of the design areas intersect with each other and you may have found it overwhelming to design a solution that fulfils all areas. Focusing on the durability of the fence is a reasonable approach to take. In short, yes it is completely fine to focus on one particular focus of the design area such as durability of the fencing for livestock.

As for the costing query, yes that is okay. I would suggest documenting all of your financial research and justifying the higher initial costs for your project. In our FAQs page we answer a question: what is a reasonable budget? This might be worth taking a look at.

For your last point, you could evaluate the pros and cons of your options (1. Teach rangers how to setup project 2. Bring in contractors) and make a decision based on that.

I appreciate your questions and I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Evelyn
- This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by Evelyn Todio.
17/04/2026 at 8:27 am #10133
Nazia Rezaee
Participant
Hi Evelyn,

Thank you so much for the information, me and my team really appreciate it.
Though, we did have some further questions and would really appreciate any additional advice on them.

Firstly, we were wondering if there were an values for the costs of installing the current fencing and also for maintenance to help my team compare the cost of our design, possibly. If not, is it same to assume the information we find online for similar fencing would be around the same cost as for Port Stewart, though there may be differences due to shipping costs.

Also, we were wondering how large the area we are fencing is. We are mainly focusing on fencing the animals in, specifically the cows, so is it safe to assume its about 100 cows or so. Also, are the cows that are being sold as income fenced in, or are they roaming wild, as this is what we assumed we are fencing. If they’re wild, we can largen our scope to the overall wild cows.

Similarly, we did have some ideas for including technology in our design, like sensors, though were concerned with the complexity of the technology, such as maintenance or damage, and it is also recommended on the EWB page to keep technology simple for the community and rangers. Though, if through research and assumptions, we see that the technology is not entirely complicated, and the pro’s for it are very high, is it ok to keep it in our design, or would you recommend to remove any technology that may be too complicated.

Thank you again.
22/04/2026 at 1:15 pm #10146
Evelyn Todio
Keymaster
Hi Nazia,

Unfortunately, I do not have information regarding costs of the fencing and maintenance. Yes of course it is okay to use information on similar fencing as a basis for comparing costs. These are reasonable assumptions that will help you move forward in your project.

One thing to consider is that the fencing is implemented to protect sacred and significant areas rather than enclose animals. I believe the cows are free-roaming.
Resource: Life on the land with the Lama Lama rangers

In response to your sensors/technology query, it is up to your team to decide whether to proceed with the design. When selecting the technology, there are a number of considerations you will need measure them up against (cost, appropriateness, maintenance). The most important thing is that you consider the appropriateness in this context and to make sure you justify your decisions.

I hope this is helpful.

Kind regards,
Evelyn
24/04/2026 at 11:36 am #10163
Nazia Rezaee
Participant
Hi Evelyn,

Me and my team were trying to come up with an estimate cost for our fencing design, though we were wondering what area estimate we can use to decide on the length of our overall fencing, or if there is a range we can choose from.

Kind Regards,
Nazia
27/04/2026 at 11:06 am #10170
Evelyn Todio
Keymaster
Hi Nazia,

I don’t have exact numbers. However, I do have this Google Earth map with all of the key locations pinned. You could use the measure function to see what length of fencing you’ll need for certain areas.

Kind regards,
Evelyn
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