Transforming habitats: progressive housing with recycled materials and energy efficiency for resilient urban environments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37135/ns.01.16.09Keywords:
assisted self-construction, energy efficiency, recyclable materials, community resilience, urban sustainability, progressive housingAbstract
In Latin America, the growth of informal settlements and the precarious nature of available housing solutions continue to exacerbate the qualitative housing deficit, particularly in contexts of urban vulnerability. In response to this issue, this article examines progressive housing as a comprehensive strategy to integrate environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and community participation within habitable spatial units. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques, including surveys, semi-structured interviews, and digital thermal performance simulations. The case study focused on the Cooperativa Voluntad de Dios in Guayaquil, where four self-built homes with partial technical assistance were analyzed. These cases revealed the prevalence of 85% self-construction, spatial limitations, deficient access to basic services, and collective territorial appropriation dynamics. In parallel, a progressive housing design model was developed based on sustainable materials, such as guadua, laminated bamboo, and compressed earth blocks—structured in five stages of growth, allowing expansion from 39 m² to 120 m² in accordance with household needs. Simulation results showed an average energy efficiency of 240 kWh/m² per year, a thermal improvement of up to 6 °C through passive bioclimatic strategies, and a recyclability index exceeding 20%. It is concluded that progressive housing, conceived as an adaptable and technically feasible solution, fosters community resilience and supports a meaningful transition toward more sustainable and inclusive urban development.
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