Strategies for Sustainable Housing for Communities in Loreto, Peru

Abstract

Illegal logging is a driving factor of forest degradation. Moreover, other leading causes are mining, agriculture, urbanizing the area without planning, and the illegal merchandising of raw material. The damage to the ecosystem and biodiversity affects the city of Iquitos, located in Loreto, Peru; on a larger scale disturbs the environment, the country’s economy, and native communities. A way to address these concerns is through building, design, and planning. This research explored housing in Iquitos, both traditional and contemporary, and proposes a sustainable design solution for a house. It emphasizes two factors of great relevance: a house that meets the standards of care and respects the natural environment, and a house that people can identify with, and serve as a starting point for an optimal life in the community. A conclusion on the analysis of both current projects and vernacular architecture considerations shows the proposed solutions. These solutions are sustainable, and they seek to reduce negative impacts on the environment, specifically those that directly affect the jungle. The proposed design strategies demonstrate how we can adapt contemporary designs with vernacular architecture and use that combination to guide both contributions.