I would say no to the automated thing. Really it is about getting what you need and moving on to the upgraded stuff. There are core units like the forge etc but really we may end up in a situation where we have to go to the far north and bring everything with us. Someone even found a large "trader" ship in the code or something like that.

For building you can use cheats or world hop to gather resources and you can even use the console to have it all.

In time I believe they will add a building mode where resources are not needed to build but while it is in early access I am sure they want people to play the game for the data / feedback on balance etc.

We are vikings who invade and dominate the world around us.... not managers

Well that is how I feel about it.