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A Sustainable and Resilient Housing Model for Indigenous Populations of the Mosquitia Region (Honduras)

Author

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  • Valeria Gambino

    (CIRPS, Interuniversity Research Center on Sustainable Development, University of Rome, Via Cavour 256, 00184 Roma, Italy)

  • Andrea Micangeli

    (CIRPS, Interuniversity Research Center on Sustainable Development, University of Rome, Via Cavour 256, 00184 Roma, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Naso

    (CIRPS, Interuniversity Research Center on Sustainable Development, University of Rome, Via Cavour 256, 00184 Roma, Italy)

  • Emanuele Michelangeli

    (CIRPS, Interuniversity Research Center on Sustainable Development, University of Rome, Via Cavour 256, 00184 Roma, Italy)

  • Luca Di Mario

    (CSD, Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, CB2 1PZ Cambridge, UK)

Abstract

This study develops a sustainable housing model for the Mosquitia region of Honduras, aimed at improving the living conditions of indigenous communities and reducing their vulnerability to the effects of climate change. The improved housing efficiency and resilience will contribute to strengthen sanitation and hygiene, improve the living comfort and reduce environmental impact, particularly focusing on preserving the forest biodiversity. The project was developed following the criteria of environmental, technical, social and economic sustainability to propose a shared model, reproducible by the beneficiaries living in different kinds of Mosquitian ecosystems. Increased building efficiency is obtained through optimization of construction techniques and improvement of materials’ performances. The main material of the proposed dwelling is wood, coherently with the “Miskita” tradition; the increase of its durability, which is obtained by proper seasoning and protection from atmospheric agents and parasites, contributes to the optimization of the use of this natural resource and to reducing the impact on deforestation, which threatens forest biodiversity. The data collection campaign, conducted before developing the housing model design and which has aimed at obtaining information on technical and social aspects related to residences’ welfare and health conditions, has highlighted the great importance of improving the construction model. Despite the advance in sanitary conditions and the economic level, the data collection campaign revealed that even the most developed communities amongst those visited have been perpetrating substantial construction errors, which reduce the resilience of structures to extreme natural phenomena, such as tropical storms and hurricanes, which frequently affect the Mosquitia region. This unexpected discovery increased the importance of housing model design in order to correct these improper construction techniques and avoid their application in the newly-started village growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeria Gambino & Andrea Micangeli & Vincenzo Naso & Emanuele Michelangeli & Luca Di Mario, 2014. "A Sustainable and Resilient Housing Model for Indigenous Populations of the Mosquitia Region (Honduras)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(8), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:8:p:4931-4948:d:38803
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea Micangeli & Emanuele Michelangeli & Vincenzo Naso, 2013. "Sustainability after the Thermal Energy Supply in Emergency Situations: The Case Study of Abruzzi Earthquake (Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(8), pages 1-13, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Godiana Hagile Philipo & Josephine Nakato Kakande & Stefan Krauter, 2022. "Neural Network-Based Demand-Side Management in a Stand-Alone Solar PV-Battery Microgrid Using Load-Shifting and Peak-Clipping," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Guoqiang Xu & Hong Jin & Jian Kang, 2019. "Experimental Study on the Indoor Thermo-Hygrometric Conditionsof the Mongolian Yurt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Licia Felicioni & Antonín Lupíšek & Jacopo Gaspari, 2023. "Exploring the Common Ground of Sustainability and Resilience in the Building Sector: A Systematic Literature Review and Analysis of Building Rating Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-24, January.

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