Integrating Biopore Infiltration, Embankment Structures, and Hydroponic Systems for Sustainable Flood Mitigation in Urban Settlements

Abstract

The Student Community Service Program is a strategic initiative designed to encourage students to actively engage in community service through an experiential learning approach. Within this program, students are not only positioned as facilitators of knowledge transfer but also as agents of social change who directly interact with local communities. One of the focal locations of this program is Jl. Makmur II RT. 31, Balikpapan, a residential area characterized by low-lying topography compared to its surroundings, making it highly prone to flooding. This vulnerability is further exacerbated by an inadequate drainage system and the habitual disposal of household waste into the environment, causing heavy rainfall to quickly inundate the area due to limited infiltration zones and clogged water channels. In response to these challenges, the PMMD team developed an environmentally based solution program that adopts an appropriate technology approach while emphasizing community participation. The main objective of this initiative is to mitigate flood risks through the implementation of biopore infiltration holes while simultaneously raising residents’ awareness regarding the importance of household waste management and drainage maintenance. The activities were carefully designed in a participatory manner, involving the community from the planning stage to implementation. Key activities included awareness sessions on the impacts of flooding and the importance of infiltration areas, educational campaigns on household waste segregation, and collective community efforts to clean drainage channels. As a tangible outcome, the program successfully constructed 30 biopore infiltration holes across 10 households. These biopores serve a dual purpose: as infiltration media to absorb rainwater and reduce surface runoff, and as natural composters to process organic household waste. Consequently, this simple yet effective technology not only contributes to flood risk reduction but also supports sustainable waste management practices at the community level. Overall, the PMMD program in Jl. Makmur II RT. 31 Balikpapan demonstrates that collaboration between students and the local community, through the application of appropriate technology, can produce practical, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions to address urban challenges, while strengthening collective awareness of the importance of sustainable environmental management.