Evaluation of Peruvian vernacular built environment using GIS

Abstract

Vernacular architecture represents a valuable source of constructive and sustainable wisdom. Despite the extensive research in the field, their techniques are still underrated, and risk being lost as communities across Latin America modernize and adopt more conventional construction practices. As per the focus of this paper, Peru, the risk of losing vernacular techniques is still present in a shifting political situation and a territory prone to natural disasters. To address these challenges, this paper proposes to not only catalogue and describe vernacular techniques but also contextualize their buildings in a Geographical Information System (GIS), allowing the connection of multiple parameters, such as materials usage, bioclimatic, seismic and risk analyses that could not be referenced (or geo-referenced) otherwise. This integration could lead to a better understanding of the relationships between these factors and guide more sustainable and resilient construction practices. The goal is to facilitate better informed decisions when conserving these buildings as well as when projecting within the Peruvian context.TED2021-129705B-C31, Circular economy in the earth building and database development of suitable soils. [Producción local de materiales de construcción con tierra y actividades formativas]The authors would like to thank the Col·legi de l’Arquitectura Tècnica de Barcelona (Cateb) for providing funding for the continuation of this project, as well as its documentation centre (Centre de Documentació) for the personalized advisory and support.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats SosteniblesObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i InfraestructuraObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::12 - Producció i Consum ResponsablesObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::10 - Reducció de les DesigualtatsObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::13 - Acció per al ClimaObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::15 - Vida d'Ecosistemes TerrestresPostprint (published version