Thousands of historic Lima houses at risk of collapse

More than 4,700 historic houses in Lima's Rímac district are critically dilapidated or have been declared uninhabitable, threatening the safety of over 30,000 people who continue to live in them. The precarious state of these buildings, many constructed with traditional materials like adobe, quincha, and wood, makes them highly vulnerable to collapse, particularly in the event of a strong earthquake.

The issue extends to Lima's Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where hundreds of buildings suffer severe damage and risk imminent collapse. The unique architectural heritage of these structures, however, presents a significant challenge for authorities. Special procedures are required for any intervention, including reinforcement or demolition, which can cause substantial delays.

Residents in Rímac report visible signs of decay, with balconies held up by wooden structures and walls showing clear damage. "It's pure quincha. These are columns, they are logs. (...) And with a quake like the last one, everything will come down. The walls are woven with reed," one resident stated, highlighting the immediate danger. Many families cannot afford to relocate or find alternative housing, forcing them to remain in these hazardous conditions.

In Lima's Historic Center, 1,678 buildings are in ruins, and 936 are uninhabitable. The Peruvian College of Architects warns that 1,379 structural units face the risk of total collapse during a major seismic event. Approximately 60% of these edifices could sustain severe damage. The stringent conservation requirements mandated by UNESCO for the historic center often impede timely structural reinforcement or recovery efforts for buildings already showing critical damage.