Eraldiseisvas

Eraldiseisvas is a design and organizational concept that refers to the deliberate separation of functions into autonomous, locally controlled subsystems within a larger system. The aim is to improve resilience, security, and adaptability by limiting interdependence and enabling independent operation in case of faults, attacks, or disruptions. It appears across multiple disciplines, including engineering, software architecture, and urban planning.

The term is a contemporary neologism in English-language discourse and has no single canonical etymology or standard definition. It is used descriptively to denote the practice of creating partially or fully self-contained modules that can operate independently while still coordinating when conditions allow.

Core principles include modular independence, localized decision-making, fault isolation, controlled interfaces, and federated governance. Subsystems are designed with autonomous power, data storage, and sensing where feasible, and communication between them is minimized or segmented to prevent cascading failures. Systems are designed to degrade gracefully, with clear fallback modes and safe decommissioning of components when necessary. Optional orchestration mechanisms enable coordination, but are not required for basic operation.

Applications span critical infrastructure, industrial control, cloud and edge computing, space habitats, and disaster-response networks. In urban contexts, eraldiseisvas informs microgrid design, modular housing, and distributed sensor networks that can continue to function when central services are interrupted.

Critiques note increased complexity, higher upfront cost, potential performance fragmentation, and the need for sophisticated governance to avoid fragmentation or data silos.

Related concepts include fault isolation, modular design, microsegmentation, and resilient architecture.