Guadua bamboo as an alternative material for social housing construction in rural areas of Manabí
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Abstract
Social housing presents a sustainability challenge, particularly in areas characterized by an aging housing stock, space constraints, and living conditions that need improvement. This study aims to analyze the potential of guadua bamboo as a construction alternative for social housing in the province of Manabí, considering technical, environmental, economic, and social aspects, as well as the perceptions of potential users. The research employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data based on a review of documents and literature. This was supplemented by a survey conducted among a selected sample of the adult population residing in five locations chosen through purposive sampling to assess their current housing conditions and their views on the use of guadua bamboo. The results indicate that a large proportion of the surveyed population lives in old housing and describes their family living spaces as only moderately comfortable or even uncomfortable, especially during periods of social distancing. It is concluded that guadua bamboo holds significant potential for the development of social housing projects in Manabí; however, its implementation requires meeting specific standards regarding structural safety, habitability, durability, affordability, and social acceptance. Consequently, adherence to established regulations and the completion of further technical studies are essential.
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