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Ecuadorian Study Highlights Vegetation's Importance for Adequate Housing at Spanish Congress
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Ecuadorian Study Highlights Vegetation's Importance for Adequate Housing at Spanish Congress

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Outcome reported
  • An Ecuadorian study presented at the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress in Spain highlights the importance of vegetation in adequate housing.
  • The research proposes integrating green infrastructure into urban planning as a technical tool for thermal regulation, environmental cleanliness, and biodiversity protection.
  • The study suggests that merging housing with vegetation should be considered the eighth element of adequate housing according to UN-Habitat, potentially reforming global habitability policies.

An Ecuadorian study presented at the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress 2026 in Spain is advocating for the crucial role of vegetation in constructing adequate housing. The research, authored by Ecuadorian architects Sandra Esparza and Cecilia Frugone, challenges traditional urbanism by positioning green infrastructure as a vital technical tool rather than a mere aesthetic element.

The study, titled 'Architectural design and vegetation as keys to prevention and evacuation in natural disasters,' argues that peri-urban green infrastructure is essential for thermal regulation, especially against heatwaves. It also contributes to environmental cleanliness, enhances the psychological well-being of inhabitants, and protects biodiversity.

By contrast, it functions as a technical tool that guarantees the indispensable thermal regulation against heatwaves, environmental cleaning, the health and psychological well-being of the inhabitants, as well as the protection of biodiversity.

— Sandra Esparza and Cecilia FrugoneThe architects explained how green infrastructure goes beyond aesthetics to provide essential environmental and health benefits.

Esparza and Frugone propose that the technical fusion of housing with vegetation should be recognized as the eighth element of adequate housing, as defined by UN-Habitat. They believe that if adopted by international bodies, this thesis could lead to a significant structural reform in global habitability policies, compelling countries to rethink urban construction with a focus on resilience against climate change.

The Ecuadorian proposal emphasizes inclusive design, suggesting that integrated vegetation serves as a guarantee of universal accessibility. In emergencies or natural disasters, this planning approach would prioritize vulnerable populations, optimize evacuation routes, and mitigate environmental risks. The findings were presented by Chilean architect Cecilia Leiva, UIA Region III Director, at the congress in Barcelona.

the technical fusion of housing with vegetation must be considered the eighth element of adequate housing of UN-Habitat.

— Sandra Esparza and Cecilia FrugoneThe researchers proposed a new standard for adequate housing that includes integrated green elements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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