Vulnerability to Disasters in Villanueva, Cortés: Proposal for Vertical Social Housing Infrastructure (#2123)

Authors

Martínez Aguilar, Gisselle A.

Ortíz Zelaya, Natalia S.

Briones López, Miriam J.

Ochoa Perdomo, Valery A.

Abstract

Introduction. Honduras’ vulnerability to hydrometeorological phenomena such as tropical storms and hurricanes has exposed the emergency of communities like Villanueva. The lack of resilient architecture standards and limited accessibility to financial resources have elevated needs, affecting housing and the livelihoods of thousands of families. Methods. To obtain relevant data, there were interviews with experts in urban planning, social projects, and financing, questionnaires were applied in a survey format with the population of Villanueva, and a relevant documentary analysis was made. The purpose is to assess the vulnerability of social housing in Villanueva and the population’s perception of it with both quantitative and qualitative information. Results. The findings reveal how 298 families were affected by the deficit in the resistance and resilience of social housing in Villanueva, Cortés, especially after the disasters of Eta and Iota in 2020. It is emphasized that the challenges with financing social projects and the lack of policies or programs for territorial or urban planning increase the vulnerability to future natural disasters. Conclusion. It is urgent to implement comprehensive social and sustainable design to improve risk management in the face of climate phenomena, promoting decent, adequate, and safer housing in Villanueva, Cortés.