Living with emergency. Design for an adaptive settlement in Belén, Iquitos

Authors

  • Belen Desmaison Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP)
  • Linda Buondonno University of Genova
  • Giulia Viola University of Genova
  • Andrea Giachetta University of Genova

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19229/2464-9309/6132019

Keywords:

environmental stress, adaptability, appropriate technologies, flood-prone areas, self-sustainability

Abstract

This paper presents a design for a district of the city of Iquitos, developed based on research by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and supported by the Centro Interuniveristario de Desarollo Academico exchange programme. The case study’s interest is in the conditions of environmental stress to which the district is subject due to seasonal variations in the water level of the river that runs through it. Under these circumstances, the inhabitants have spontaneously developed resilient settlement strategies which, however, are not sufficient to deal with the serious health and sanitary problems that exist there. The paper demonstrates how, in such situations, it is possible to propose adaptive design solutions which are in keeping with local practices and therefore easily reproducible.

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Author Biographies

Belen Desmaison, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP)

Lecturer and Researcher, MSc in Building and Urban Design in Development from UCL (University College London), UK. Coordinator of the action-research project CASA (Ciudades Auto-Sostenibles Amazónicas). Research topics: resettlement processes, sustainable and resilient urban and architectural design, and the generation of socially and environmentally just habitats.
E-mail: belen.desmaison@pucp.pe

Linda Buondonno, University of Genova

Architect, she conducts training experiences at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Granada (ETSAG), Spain, and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), Chile. Contributes to the teaching activities of the DAD Technological Laboratory.
E-mail: linda.buondonno@gmail.com

Giulia Viola, University of Genova

Architect, she conducts training activities at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, and the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), Peru, under the CINDA programme. Collaborates with the Miralles Tagliabue EMBT studio in Barcelona.
E-mail: giuliviola@gmail.com

Andrea Giachetta, University of Genova

PhD in Architecture, Associate Professor of Architectural Technology, Coordinator of the Degree Course in Architecture Science and Member of the Doctoral Council of Architecture and Design at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD). Research topics: technological and ecological approach to design, and design teaching.
E-mail: andreagiachetta@arch.unige.it

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Render of the service module. AGATHÒN 06 | 2019

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Published

20-12-2019

How to Cite

Desmaison, B., Buondonno, L., Viola, G. and Giachetta, A. (2019) “Living with emergency. Design for an adaptive settlement in Belén, Iquitos”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 6(online), pp. 138–147. doi: 10.19229/2464-9309/6132019.

Issue

Section

Architecture | Research & Experimentation