A Sustainable Proposal for a Cultural Heritage Declaration in Ecuador: Vernacular Housing of Portoviejo

Abstract

Vernacular houses treasure the knowledge and traditions of nations. They express the cultural heritage of different generations, including local materials and non-professional designs evolved by resident communities. In South America, vernacular houses often are designed in rural areas. These are influenced by the customs of the indigenous people who inhabited this region for centuries before colonization. In the coastal area of Ecuador, particularly in the canton of Portoviejo, belonging to the province of Manabí, there is an architectural typology called “housing of the three spaces”, which has not been valued as cultural heritage. This article responds to the research question of how to structure a sustainable architectural solution, which observes the patrimonial values of the housing of the three Manabí spaces, and which contributes to the resolution of the housing problem in rural Ecuadorian areas. The research was descriptive. The questionary technique was used to characterize these housings and analyze their sustainability criteria and historic heritage values. The results contribute relevant information for the consideration of the housing of the three spaces as cultural heritage. Furthermore, we explored a conceptual and analytical transition of the modern housing named Biosuvernacular (bio meaning life, su for sustainability and vernacular for traditional design) with reasonable economical solutions for resolving the housing problem in the study area.

Sustainable Design for Geotourism Interpretation Centres: Enhancing the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project Experience

“…At the environmental level, the design promotes eco-friendly materials and energy efficiency, making the most of natural resources and minimizing the environmental impact. All this follows the objectives of the geopark project [53] and the current architectural trends [45,[67][68][69] under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).…”

Cultural Influences and Sustainable Housing Design: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

“…Similarly, cultural habits like smoking may motivate the implementation of effective ventilation or filtration systems, enhancing indoor air quality and overall user health ( [19]; [38]; [24]). Cultural practices such as bathing may encourage the adoption of creative rainwater harvesting or greywater recycling systems, fostering water conservation and waste reduction for users ( [19]; [44]; [28]; [29]).…”

“…Cultural influences, when viewed as opportunities, offer the potential for fresh insights, solutions, and innovations within sustainable housing design ( [19]; [43]; [16] ; [35]; [27]; [25]; [28]; [36]; [30]; [31]; [32]; [46]; [47]; [48]; [45]). Preferences for heating or cooling, for instance, can inspire the exploration of novel passive solar design or natural ventilation techniques, introducing elements like wind towers, courtyards, or trombe walls ( [19]; [49]).…”

“…Cultural influences can also be viewed as outcomes or impacts of sustainable housing design, influencing user values, beliefs, norms, customs, traditions, and lifestyles ( [19]; [44]; [35]; [24]; [25]; [28]; [29]; [39]; [40]; [41]; [42]; [47]; [48]). Sustainable housing design has the potential to alter cultural preferences, affecting aspects like heating or cooling, thermal sensations, and expectations of users ( [19]; [49]).…”

Vernacular Sacred Architectural Heritage Assessment: The Case of Wat Chedi, Southern Thailand

“…UNESCO's concept of conservation includes both tangible and intangible heritage. Tangible cultural heritage can be linked to natural resources, whereas the intangible one is to the culture, which can be transmitted from generation to generation [29]. A scientific evaluation can indicate building values and select the most appropriate technique to preserve them [2].…”