Mud cities. Fundadores Bajo informal settlement in Armenia, Colombia

Abstract

This work presents a participatory research involving the academia and the community aimed at finding potential urban-architectural improvement measures for the Fundadores Bajo informal settlement in the city of Armenia, Colombia. The goal is to promote the transformation of an area home to more than 50 families. The research consists on a study, diagnostic, formulation and proposal, also addressing existing social, economic and infrastructure characteristics. For this purpose, interviews, surveys, data sheet collection and social mapping exercises were conducted whereby the settlement’s inhabitants explained the habitat’s weaknesses and, at the same time, their common dreams and expectations regarding its improvement. The study provided insights on the living conditions of a population subject to social exclusion and lack of government planning. Likewise, a community situational diagnostic was made and two long and short-term urban-architectural proposals were submitted in a participatory fashion.