A social and economic catalyst using wood in Latin American countries

Cities like Bogotá, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Sao Paulo are set to become the most densely populated urban regions in the world by the year 2050, and yet, less than 60% of the population will have access to adequate constructions. 2 out of 3 families in Latin America will be forced to live in informal housing because of the lack of high quality and affordable constructions. Being one of the most biodiverse regions in the planet, and having a wide variety of species, Latin America has the potential to become a global leader in terms of sustainable and responsible wood growth while covering the deficit of adequate constructions in the region with the use of modular and prefabricated wood structures. In these countries, wood is easily obtainable, highly affordable, and simple to work with. Today, more than ever, we are under a scenario where wood has the opportunity of becoming an agent of change around social inequality and environmental justice, allowing for a switch towards a healthier and more sustainable way of construction in Latin America. The paper will showcase the state of the art and the environmental benefits of the material by presenting case studies focused on emergency and affordable housing, educational pavilions, and modular prototypes using native wood, and ’’Guadua’’, a species similar to bamboo. The aim of this paper is to highlight how wood constructions can have a positive environmental, social, and economic impact in Latin American countries by using wood as a catalyst to increase construction standards, generate jobs, and enhance the quality of life in low-income communities around the region.