Introduction
To provide massive housing is necessary for the growing urban population, particularly in developing countries. In addition, building and urban conditions must be improved to reduce increasing environmental impact and energy consumption( CARASSUS, 2013). Sustainable building actions have tended to focus on single high-cost examples and must now extend to large-scale construction initiatives. Existing capacities for mass building and public acceptance of such designs must be targeted to higher environmental performance. This paper analyses the dwelling situation in Chile, focusing on housing developments in the largest city in the country’ s southern zone and the possibilities to improve their behaviour and reduce energy consumption. It is based on the review of existing houses, encompassing both retrofits and installations of solar energy systems, summarizing experiences of research projects led by the author.
Housing in Chile
The approach to housing provision in Chile sets an example in Latin America( DOSAL, 2013). Both state and private mass housing initiatives enjoyed early implementation at the beginning of the twentieth century. This was followed by consolidation of a variety of public housing programmes and private housing enterprises throughout the national territory and across different socio-economic sectors, ensuring dwelling provision even in the face of diverse natural disasters( CHAM- ORRO, 2013). However, although there have been notable examples of high quality architecture in housing design, there has also been considerable debate questioning the quality of housing and scarce industrialisation( CELIS et al, 2012).
Housing conditions in the country show certain trends: the predominance of detached and semi-detached single-family homes; and the growth of multi-family high-rise buildings, particularly in urban centres. Houses have mainly reinforced brick or concrete building systems with timber structures above ground level, while reinforced concrete is used for larger multi-family buildings and high-income homes( CHCC, 2011).
In recent years, the drive to improve housing quality and reduce energy consumption has led to the implementation of thermal regulations for building elements in the different geographical zones. Diverse programmes were set up to encourage energy efficiency. National studies identified both shortfalls in existing comfort levels and construction techniques and excessive energy consumption and urban pollution( AC, 2007; CNE, 2009; BUSTAMANTE, 2009; CDT 2010). Initiatives have included; thermal refurbishment subsidies for existing low-income housing; government funding for installing solar panels; and more recently, voluntary environmental certification schemes and legislation for electricity co-generation to encourage implementation of photovoltaic systems. Additionally, private environmental performance certification schemes are slowly beginning to gain ground and industrial supply of products with higher environmental performance. Professional training is being updated towards more sustainable building practice, accompanied by public and private sector promotions.
594 ZEMCH 2015 | International Conference | Bari- Lecce, Italy