TThis study of modernity, approached from a philosophical and architectural perspective, delves into a multifaceted concept rooted in historical events and philosophical outlooks. When addressing modernity, it is imperative to transcend the constraints of specific dates and consider it as a way of conceiving history and the world. Modernity is characterized by its ability to challenge rooted traditions and mark a distinct transition from the old to the new. Despite its historical ties to events such as the fall of Constantinople and Columbus’s voyages, its essence extends beyond these dates. Max Weber emphasizes Western modernity’s critical role in modern capitalism’s emergence. At the same time, Martin Heidegger underscores the intimate relationship between humans and their environment, giving special significance to the act of dwelling and the act of construction itself. In aesth...

The study examines the impact, added value and relevance of accreditation as a way of assuring quality at an institution of higher learning in the field of architecture. The qualitative impact of accreditation was examined through a survey presented to students, teachers and employers. A quantitative assessment was carried out by reviewing academic indicators, such as pass rate or weighted average per year, before and after the accreditation processes. The study examined a private institution of higher education in Peru; however, the methodology and results may be relevant to future studies of schools in developing countries with similar characteristics.

In lower-income countries, the risk of disasters is constant due to the high physical vulnerability of housing, primarily due to informal construction practices and a lack of government planning and control. Emergency Temporary Housing (ETH) is a crucial relief for families in need after a disaster, providing shelter and support. However, these temporary structures often fall short when considering the affected communities' broader social and environmental aspects. Issues such as inadequate design, insufficient attention to local customs, and environmental impact are common, compromising the long-term well-being and resilience of the affected population. This research analyzes habitability conditions in ETH through five case studies in Peru's three macro-regions: the coastal, highland, and jungle regions. The methodology involves a literature review and the identification of specific min...

By 2050, 68% of the global population will reside in cities, driving rapid urban growth and intensifying demand for scarce ecological resources within the Water-Food-Energy nexus. Social metabolism quantifies energy and material transformations with a social focus, building upon urban metabolism. Its application in resource-scarce informal settlements (ISs) has the potential to enhance their sustainability significantly. As community dynamics evolve, acknowledging society as a dynamic variable within this framework becomes increasingly relevant. Our study employs the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) framework, focusing on key variables: human activity, land use, money, energy, water, waste, and food. Based on surveys, interviews, GIS datasets, and statistical information, the study investigates the Ciudad de Gosen IS in Lima, Peru. The resul...

drondine@ulima.edu.pe aacevedo@ulima.edu.pe

mllona@ulima.edu.pe; acevedo@ulima.edu.pe

mllona@ulima.edu.pe; acevedo@ulima.edu.pe

mllona@ulima.edu.pe; acevedo@ulima.edu.pe

As urbanization continues to surge, building materials are poised to become a dominant contributor to global emissions. Traditionally, the building sector has focused on mitigating “operational carbon” linked to a building's day-to-day energy needs, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment usage. However, there has been a paucity of studies on the environmental impacts associated with building materials across a building life cycle. This paper addresses this gap by conducting a life cycle assessment of housing stocks in two diverse case studies: Montreal (Canada) and Lima (Peru). These cities offer a North/South perspective, highlighting the challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions for decarbonizing the housing sector. The study investigates the potential of circular strategies and investigates three scenarios: selective deconstruction (allowing for reuse and recyc...

Millions of displaced people are housed in shelters that generally consist of a single room, meaning that activities including cooking, sleeping and socializing all take place in the same space. Therefore, indoor air quality can be poor, resulting in estimated 20,000 displaced people dying prematurely every year. Very few studies considered the issue and all within one country. This paper describes the first comprehensive study investigating air quality in shelters by looking at Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Particulate Matter (PM), and CO2 in ten locations within Peru, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Jordan, Turkey and Bangladesh. It has the aim of: (i) discovering how widespread the issue is, (ii) identifying some of the causes, (iii) whether it is linked to cultural and behavioural factors, (iv) location and climate, or (v) shelters’ materials or design. Results revealed very harmful level...