Upgrading La Esperanza - Mexico. PART 2 of 4
Note: The following is a shortened version of the graduate report prepared for the Minimum Cost Housing Group (MCHG) of McGill University, Montreal. This report was written by myself, along with Cesar Gonzales, Tong Gan, Yue Li, Annalyn Maribbay and Alejandro Lopez.
Community Development
Since World War II when the term community development first came into use, its use has spread rapidly and been interpreted in different ways throughout the world. A United Nations report on community development in rural areas has emphasized two components: community Self-Help and technical assistance.
The term 'community development' defines a process by which the efforts of the people are united with those of governmental authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of countries, to integrate these communities into the life of the nation, and to enable them to contribute fully to national progress.
This process is made up of two essential elements: participation by the people in efforts to improve their level of living with as much reliance as possible on their own initiatives; and the provision of technical assistance and other services in ways which will also encourage initiatives, and make these more effective.
Through this report, the term 'community development' is used to describe a process of gradual improvement of the overall living conditions of the population, through use of community organizational tools, such as:
Community Participation: This term encompasses such diverse spheres as financing and payment collection, materials production and distribution, maintenance, planning, employment generation, estate management and health care, education, apart from the more obvious sphere of collective labor. Community participation is potentially feasible in almost every activity in a self-help project. It can assist people with the compromises necessary in systems which are neither 'free enterprise' nor fully 'state controlled' but lie, instead, somewhere in between. Community participation in the case of La Esperanza refers to all the communal activities, that occur either in the community centre and its several branches, such as builder's yard, planting nursery, workshops, training classes, etc., or even at the individual household level.
Self-Help: The concept of Self-Help underwent a remarkable transition between the mid-sixties and mid-seventies. The traditional concept was understood in a technological sense. Self-Help housing meant houses constructed by low income families with their own, unpaid, labor. After the publication of Charles Abraham's 'Man's Struggle for Shelter in an Urbanizing World' in 1964, and John Turner's 'Housing by People' in 1976, the contemporary Self-Help term refers to a from of social decision-making about construction rather than to a particular technological ingredient in the construction of houses. The redefinition of Self-Help comprises two major elements: families making decisions and direct investments by families, either in the form of their unpaid labor or cash savings. In most existing squatter neighborhoods, both of these elements would be present. By using Self-Help techniques, inhabitants of the community can potentially reduce the cost of construction and develop better living conditions based on their own initiatives.Therefore, in the case of La Esperanza, self-help refers to upgrading at the level of both the individual dwelling and of the community, to be undertaken by the inhabitants themselves, with the participation of governmental agencies. The inhabitants will invest sweat equity and income into the improvement of their dwellings and public facilities which directly benefit them. The participation of the governmental and professional agencies, such as the local college of architects, is related to the financing, management, land tenure definition and technical assistance in the construction process.
Sustainable Development
According to the World Commission on Economic Development (WCED), known as Brundtland Commission, Sustainable Development is a "development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
The origins of the concept of sustainable development originated two bodies of literature which, in the 1960's, were quite separate: that based on the environment and other on the development. Aristotle, some two thousand years ago, used the spirit of sustainability in defining the termoikomia - root word of economics, and the term chrematistics - economic development, which today is defined as the manipulation of property and wealth so as to maximise short term monetary exchange value to the owner. Certain cultures, like that of the Mohawks, were able to integrate some of the spirit of sustainability into daily practice. The Mohawks would always appoint a representative of the seventh generation "to consider how the decisions discussed today may be viewed seven generations from now".
The Proposal
First Layer: Existing Situation
Physical Aspects
La Esperanza is located in a valley settlement which is part of the great Sierra Madre del Sul. At an approximate elevation of 80 meters above sea level, the luxurious green horizon of the Sierra, dotted with several narrow mountain heights, is promptly recognized towards the north. The Coastal Highway 200, that runs to and from Acapulco and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, is also a major component of the scenery, this busy highway marks the southern boundary of the settlement and provides the main vector for urban inter-connection.
The site of La Esperanza does not exhibit any presence of plains or plateaus. Undulating terrain, with degrees of inclination ranging from ten to eighty percent, dominates the entire settlement. The access to the community is made through a small entrance which links it to the highway. It is located next to one of the few flat sections of the entire area, and therefore is the place chosen by most for gathering and commerce. Most of the streets located next to the south part, with has a summit of about 84 meters above sea level , are sloped, some of to a very high degree, which makes vehicular access impractical, and in some cases virtually impossible. The southeastern section of the colonia is indeed the most lush with vegetation. Root crops and other agricultural produce are planted by the villagers at this location. The use of plantation, mostly corn fields, as a form of slope retaining has been fairly spread throughout the community. This fact itself reflects the general concern of the inhabitants with the hazards which could result from earth slides due to rain storms or even seismic phenomena.
The valley where La Esperanza is located has a great variety of vegetation, both edible and non-edible. This mountainous region provides a suitable climate for crops, which give sustenance for the residents of the settlements. Crops like corn, fruit bearing trees such as papaya, almond, and palm trees are growing on the edges of the settlement, indicating that the soil is fertile and has a great potential for agricultural activities. One can spot flowering trees and shrubs, either on clay or plastic pots, or even being used to adorn plot edges or as shading. Green leafy vegetables can are also cultured locally, either on open spaces located within the plots or planted on the periphery towards the highest point of the valley. This suggests that there is great potential for income-generating activities, in terms of vegetable planting that could serve as additional supply for the village or could be sold to neighbouring towns. The intermittent appearance of large trees like the Jacaranda behind the settlement, a few meters away from the major highway, creates not only a defined background for La Esperanza, but keeps the soil base intact thus protecting the whole settlement. This combination of uses within the settlement and around can be attributable to the quality of minerals present in its soil, which exhibits rock formations that are strong enough to be used as foundation in the construction of dwellings and that have the potential of withholding surface water run-off, offsetting the frequency of erosion. Although water resources may not be present within the settlement, its location on the proximity to the Agua de Correa basin makes it technically possible to access water beds to serve the community.
La Esperanza is located in the south-east suburban area of Zihuatanejo, next to the Federal highway 200, known as Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon. This highway serve as the main link between the city of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo, stretching for approximately 236 kilometres. A new 540 kilometre highway, passing through extremely rugged and mountainous territory, was recently built to connect Zihuatanejo and Mexico city. It is a vital link in the transportation system from the west coast to Mexico city and a new alternative to the old route via Acapulco.
Cars, taxis and buses run through the Federal highway 200 between the settlement and Zihuatanejo's downtown, 6 kilometres away, where is located the principal commercial zone of the region. Since bus companies schedule stops in La Esperanza, the majority of people goes to the city through this mean of transportation. Moreover, there are now links to the north, east and south of the state by modern highways. Another way of reaching the area is by air. Passengers are transported from the Airport, located at the eastern corner of the city, about 10 kilometres from La Esperanza, to Zihuatanejo's downtown or to Ixtapa hotels, using an avenue that is part of the Federal highway 200.
Infrastructure
Water Supply: As a result of the analysis about the existing conditions in La Esperanza, we noticed that there is not a consolidated water supply network. In the surveyed area, only 56 % of the households have a water tank or a well, while the rest the plots do not have any constructed deposit. In those cases people store water in small buckets or drums.
During the periods of higher rates of precipitation, in June and July, people store rainwater in a communal well which was built by the community. The well is located beside the open space next to the school, but unfortunately this water do not fulfil the necessities of the whole community and, in addition, is used only for cleaning purposes. Thus, the main problem is the drinking water. People have to pay for water that is delivered in plastic containers, which the poorest families cannot not afford.
Sanitation: In La Esperanza, sanitation conditions are very poor. In fact, sanitation is one of the main problems because waste disposal is not provided as a public service. In the analysis of the site survey we could observe that only 32% of the plots have septic tank or latrine, while the rest of the dwellings discharge the excreta into open channels or through natural infiltration into the soil.
Open Spaces
There are several pockets land at the periphery of the settlement which have a reasonable flat surface. Two of these are areas actually used by the community for recreational purposes, the rest is mostly untreated land, which serves as garbage dump and for sporadic cultivation of crops. The largest open area is located near the highway. It is separated from the main street by a fence made with old tires and contains a wooden shack at its edge. Surrounded by large trees, this space is one of the most suitable for its size and location. Kids love to play soccer under the shades of an open structure which is also used for several public activities. The other major open space is located at the school's grounds, its basketball court is actually the only sports facility for the community.
Circulation
The road network of La Esperanza was laid out in a traditional gridiron pattern. There is no system of classification or even definition of hierarchy. The width of streets is about 6 meters, with the exception of street 21 which is about 8 meters wide. In general, streets are in very poor conditions, unlevelled and unpaved, many of them are located in slopes and lack a proper storm drainage system. There is no activity node for the main access street and other main streets. The mixed use of streets by vehicles and pedestrians, especially next to the school, is indeed an undesirable situation. The streets have no sidewalks, and there is no clearly defined area for commercial activities and house extensions of small shops.
Housing Conditions
Houses in La Esperanza are no different from the average informal settlement of Latin America. The problems inherent to the precarious physical conditions of the site and the general lack of urban services are just some of the obstacles that have to be addressed in any upgrading process that focuses on the enhancement of the physical standards. What makes this small community a distinct example, therefore allowing for a process of upgrading, is the will of their inhabitants and government in participating and adopting viable and realistic strategies to improve their living conditions.
The analysis of the physical condition of housing in La Esperanza shows a somewhat heterogeneous environment, some houses are nothing but shacks made of scrap timber, cardboard and waste materials, while others are very elaborated, using concrete slabs and brick walls. Dwellings range from small, sixteen square meters one-room structures, to larger houses that occupy the entire plot area. The spatial subdivision analysis, though, shows a different situation, with a more homogeneous solutions. The basic typology of dwelling in La Esperanza reflects the overall sensibility of its inhabitants with reference to the climate and traditions of the region. The outdoor areas, semi-private extensions that link the public realm with the household sphere, are common to almost all dwellings. The Varanda, or roofed porch, is the main identifiable living space.
With its multipurpose character - it can be used for cooking, sleeping and socializing, as well as for storage and commercial activities - the verandah is usually inexpensive to build, it can be made with lightweight, temporary materials, allowing even to the poorest the comforts inherent to its shadowed nature. The observation of patterns of spatial development in low income settlements of Zihuatanejo has shown that usually space takes precedent over quality. People will change their houses as their family grows and more space is needed, only then they will consolidate and improve the quality of their dwellings. This pattern can also be observed in La Esperanza, where the larger dwellings often are built with temporary materials.
Another intrinsic feature of La Esperanza, although not permanent in its character, is the vegetation used by residents. The simplest, smallest house, benefits from the luxurious quality of some plants native to the area, in which jacaranda, papaya and mango appear among the most popular ones. Plants are used throughout for decorating, providing shading, intimacy and ultimately helping to raise the overall micro-climatic comfort at the residential level.
It continues...
Community Development
Since World War II when the term community development first came into use, its use has spread rapidly and been interpreted in different ways throughout the world. A United Nations report on community development in rural areas has emphasized two components: community Self-Help and technical assistance.
The term 'community development' defines a process by which the efforts of the people are united with those of governmental authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of countries, to integrate these communities into the life of the nation, and to enable them to contribute fully to national progress.
This process is made up of two essential elements: participation by the people in efforts to improve their level of living with as much reliance as possible on their own initiatives; and the provision of technical assistance and other services in ways which will also encourage initiatives, and make these more effective.
Through this report, the term 'community development' is used to describe a process of gradual improvement of the overall living conditions of the population, through use of community organizational tools, such as:
Community Participation: This term encompasses such diverse spheres as financing and payment collection, materials production and distribution, maintenance, planning, employment generation, estate management and health care, education, apart from the more obvious sphere of collective labor. Community participation is potentially feasible in almost every activity in a self-help project. It can assist people with the compromises necessary in systems which are neither 'free enterprise' nor fully 'state controlled' but lie, instead, somewhere in between. Community participation in the case of La Esperanza refers to all the communal activities, that occur either in the community centre and its several branches, such as builder's yard, planting nursery, workshops, training classes, etc., or even at the individual household level.
Self-Help: The concept of Self-Help underwent a remarkable transition between the mid-sixties and mid-seventies. The traditional concept was understood in a technological sense. Self-Help housing meant houses constructed by low income families with their own, unpaid, labor. After the publication of Charles Abraham's 'Man's Struggle for Shelter in an Urbanizing World' in 1964, and John Turner's 'Housing by People' in 1976, the contemporary Self-Help term refers to a from of social decision-making about construction rather than to a particular technological ingredient in the construction of houses. The redefinition of Self-Help comprises two major elements: families making decisions and direct investments by families, either in the form of their unpaid labor or cash savings. In most existing squatter neighborhoods, both of these elements would be present. By using Self-Help techniques, inhabitants of the community can potentially reduce the cost of construction and develop better living conditions based on their own initiatives.Therefore, in the case of La Esperanza, self-help refers to upgrading at the level of both the individual dwelling and of the community, to be undertaken by the inhabitants themselves, with the participation of governmental agencies. The inhabitants will invest sweat equity and income into the improvement of their dwellings and public facilities which directly benefit them. The participation of the governmental and professional agencies, such as the local college of architects, is related to the financing, management, land tenure definition and technical assistance in the construction process.
Sustainable Development
According to the World Commission on Economic Development (WCED), known as Brundtland Commission, Sustainable Development is a "development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
The origins of the concept of sustainable development originated two bodies of literature which, in the 1960's, were quite separate: that based on the environment and other on the development. Aristotle, some two thousand years ago, used the spirit of sustainability in defining the termoikomia - root word of economics, and the term chrematistics - economic development, which today is defined as the manipulation of property and wealth so as to maximise short term monetary exchange value to the owner. Certain cultures, like that of the Mohawks, were able to integrate some of the spirit of sustainability into daily practice. The Mohawks would always appoint a representative of the seventh generation "to consider how the decisions discussed today may be viewed seven generations from now".
The Proposal
First Layer: Existing Situation
Physical Aspects
La Esperanza is located in a valley settlement which is part of the great Sierra Madre del Sul. At an approximate elevation of 80 meters above sea level, the luxurious green horizon of the Sierra, dotted with several narrow mountain heights, is promptly recognized towards the north. The Coastal Highway 200, that runs to and from Acapulco and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, is also a major component of the scenery, this busy highway marks the southern boundary of the settlement and provides the main vector for urban inter-connection.
The site of La Esperanza does not exhibit any presence of plains or plateaus. Undulating terrain, with degrees of inclination ranging from ten to eighty percent, dominates the entire settlement. The access to the community is made through a small entrance which links it to the highway. It is located next to one of the few flat sections of the entire area, and therefore is the place chosen by most for gathering and commerce. Most of the streets located next to the south part, with has a summit of about 84 meters above sea level , are sloped, some of to a very high degree, which makes vehicular access impractical, and in some cases virtually impossible. The southeastern section of the colonia is indeed the most lush with vegetation. Root crops and other agricultural produce are planted by the villagers at this location. The use of plantation, mostly corn fields, as a form of slope retaining has been fairly spread throughout the community. This fact itself reflects the general concern of the inhabitants with the hazards which could result from earth slides due to rain storms or even seismic phenomena.
The valley where La Esperanza is located has a great variety of vegetation, both edible and non-edible. This mountainous region provides a suitable climate for crops, which give sustenance for the residents of the settlements. Crops like corn, fruit bearing trees such as papaya, almond, and palm trees are growing on the edges of the settlement, indicating that the soil is fertile and has a great potential for agricultural activities. One can spot flowering trees and shrubs, either on clay or plastic pots, or even being used to adorn plot edges or as shading. Green leafy vegetables can are also cultured locally, either on open spaces located within the plots or planted on the periphery towards the highest point of the valley. This suggests that there is great potential for income-generating activities, in terms of vegetable planting that could serve as additional supply for the village or could be sold to neighbouring towns. The intermittent appearance of large trees like the Jacaranda behind the settlement, a few meters away from the major highway, creates not only a defined background for La Esperanza, but keeps the soil base intact thus protecting the whole settlement. This combination of uses within the settlement and around can be attributable to the quality of minerals present in its soil, which exhibits rock formations that are strong enough to be used as foundation in the construction of dwellings and that have the potential of withholding surface water run-off, offsetting the frequency of erosion. Although water resources may not be present within the settlement, its location on the proximity to the Agua de Correa basin makes it technically possible to access water beds to serve the community.
La Esperanza is located in the south-east suburban area of Zihuatanejo, next to the Federal highway 200, known as Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon. This highway serve as the main link between the city of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo, stretching for approximately 236 kilometres. A new 540 kilometre highway, passing through extremely rugged and mountainous territory, was recently built to connect Zihuatanejo and Mexico city. It is a vital link in the transportation system from the west coast to Mexico city and a new alternative to the old route via Acapulco.
Cars, taxis and buses run through the Federal highway 200 between the settlement and Zihuatanejo's downtown, 6 kilometres away, where is located the principal commercial zone of the region. Since bus companies schedule stops in La Esperanza, the majority of people goes to the city through this mean of transportation. Moreover, there are now links to the north, east and south of the state by modern highways. Another way of reaching the area is by air. Passengers are transported from the Airport, located at the eastern corner of the city, about 10 kilometres from La Esperanza, to Zihuatanejo's downtown or to Ixtapa hotels, using an avenue that is part of the Federal highway 200.
Infrastructure
Water Supply: As a result of the analysis about the existing conditions in La Esperanza, we noticed that there is not a consolidated water supply network. In the surveyed area, only 56 % of the households have a water tank or a well, while the rest the plots do not have any constructed deposit. In those cases people store water in small buckets or drums.
During the periods of higher rates of precipitation, in June and July, people store rainwater in a communal well which was built by the community. The well is located beside the open space next to the school, but unfortunately this water do not fulfil the necessities of the whole community and, in addition, is used only for cleaning purposes. Thus, the main problem is the drinking water. People have to pay for water that is delivered in plastic containers, which the poorest families cannot not afford.
Sanitation: In La Esperanza, sanitation conditions are very poor. In fact, sanitation is one of the main problems because waste disposal is not provided as a public service. In the analysis of the site survey we could observe that only 32% of the plots have septic tank or latrine, while the rest of the dwellings discharge the excreta into open channels or through natural infiltration into the soil.
Open Spaces
There are several pockets land at the periphery of the settlement which have a reasonable flat surface. Two of these are areas actually used by the community for recreational purposes, the rest is mostly untreated land, which serves as garbage dump and for sporadic cultivation of crops. The largest open area is located near the highway. It is separated from the main street by a fence made with old tires and contains a wooden shack at its edge. Surrounded by large trees, this space is one of the most suitable for its size and location. Kids love to play soccer under the shades of an open structure which is also used for several public activities. The other major open space is located at the school's grounds, its basketball court is actually the only sports facility for the community.
Circulation
The road network of La Esperanza was laid out in a traditional gridiron pattern. There is no system of classification or even definition of hierarchy. The width of streets is about 6 meters, with the exception of street 21 which is about 8 meters wide. In general, streets are in very poor conditions, unlevelled and unpaved, many of them are located in slopes and lack a proper storm drainage system. There is no activity node for the main access street and other main streets. The mixed use of streets by vehicles and pedestrians, especially next to the school, is indeed an undesirable situation. The streets have no sidewalks, and there is no clearly defined area for commercial activities and house extensions of small shops.
Housing Conditions
Houses in La Esperanza are no different from the average informal settlement of Latin America. The problems inherent to the precarious physical conditions of the site and the general lack of urban services are just some of the obstacles that have to be addressed in any upgrading process that focuses on the enhancement of the physical standards. What makes this small community a distinct example, therefore allowing for a process of upgrading, is the will of their inhabitants and government in participating and adopting viable and realistic strategies to improve their living conditions.
The analysis of the physical condition of housing in La Esperanza shows a somewhat heterogeneous environment, some houses are nothing but shacks made of scrap timber, cardboard and waste materials, while others are very elaborated, using concrete slabs and brick walls. Dwellings range from small, sixteen square meters one-room structures, to larger houses that occupy the entire plot area. The spatial subdivision analysis, though, shows a different situation, with a more homogeneous solutions. The basic typology of dwelling in La Esperanza reflects the overall sensibility of its inhabitants with reference to the climate and traditions of the region. The outdoor areas, semi-private extensions that link the public realm with the household sphere, are common to almost all dwellings. The Varanda, or roofed porch, is the main identifiable living space.
With its multipurpose character - it can be used for cooking, sleeping and socializing, as well as for storage and commercial activities - the verandah is usually inexpensive to build, it can be made with lightweight, temporary materials, allowing even to the poorest the comforts inherent to its shadowed nature. The observation of patterns of spatial development in low income settlements of Zihuatanejo has shown that usually space takes precedent over quality. People will change their houses as their family grows and more space is needed, only then they will consolidate and improve the quality of their dwellings. This pattern can also be observed in La Esperanza, where the larger dwellings often are built with temporary materials.
Another intrinsic feature of La Esperanza, although not permanent in its character, is the vegetation used by residents. The simplest, smallest house, benefits from the luxurious quality of some plants native to the area, in which jacaranda, papaya and mango appear among the most popular ones. Plants are used throughout for decorating, providing shading, intimacy and ultimately helping to raise the overall micro-climatic comfort at the residential level.
It continues...
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