The territorial layout of public spaces in the recreation subsystem (psr) plays a role in influencing the way a territory is inhabited, thereby fostering or discouraging social cohesion. This was the purpose of the study on urban proximity in the historic center of Toluca, Mexico. The analysis was conducted under the categories of Structure-Coverage and Modulation-Access. The first one presents quantitative and qualitative data derived from predefined indicators and variables of location, surface area, and variability; the second one is the walkable areas of influence based on psr accesses. For this purpose, the "Service Scale Method" was applied, which refers to the maximum walkable presented in NOM-001 of the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial, and Urban Development. This demonstrates that the study area has the geographic conditions to function as an "interconnected system" that promote pedestrian traffic in the area.
Este estudio analiza que la configuración del espacio influye en la percepción del bienestar, y en la reproducción de la exclusión en las colonias San José Terán y Mirador II, en Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas. A partir de un enfoque que combina análisis geoespacial y percepción social, se busca comprender cómo ciertos elementos del entorno construyen dinámicas de segregación. Se aplican metodologías del Consejo Nacional de Población (CONAPO), y un análisis de la datación de equipamientos. Los hallazgos revelan que la precariedad en infraestructura y movilidad, sumada a la falta de equipamientos, afecta la experiencia cotidiana del territorio lo que genera desigualdades persistentes. Se concluye que la segregación no solo responde a factores estructurales, destacando la necesidad de estrategias que integren la dimensión material y social en la planificación territorial.
Spring in La Plata is characterized by a progressive increase in temperature, solar irradiance, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation dose, factors that affect both energy efficiency and public health. This study analyzes data collected between October 25 and November 16, 2025, from the Gonnet meteorological station of the LAyHS-FAU-UNLP (UNLP network, Davis Weather Pro equipment), aiming to evaluate the correlation between outdoor temperature, UV dose, and solar energy measured in kWh/m2. Results show very strong correlations among the three variables: R<^>2=0.997for UV vs. solar energy, R<^>2=0.978for UV vs. temperature, and R<^>2=0.983for solar energy vs. temperature. These relationships confirm the physical coherence between solar radiation and environmental conditions, supporting predictive models of energy efficiency during spring. The study also discusses the implications of UV radiation for the Argentine population, considering the diversity of skin phototypes-from very fair skin in European descendants to darker tones in mestizo and Afro-descendant populations-and the elevated risk of skin cancer associated with unprotected exposure. By integrating science, energy, and health, this work proposes a transdisciplinary approach that links engineering, architecture, and medicine to understand spring as both a period of risk and opportunity.
This article addresses a housing relocation policy implemented in the city of Formosa, Argentina, in 2014, in response to a major flood that affected numerous families in Formosa. The solution adopted to address this problem was a joint intervention by the provincial and municipal governments, which consisted of relocating the affected families. The objective of this research is to highlight the effects of this relocation on the configuration of the urban habitat, taking as variables for analysis some of the key components of the concept: housing, infrastructure, facilities, location, accessibility, mobility, and socioeconomic conditions. To achieve the proposed objectives, a mixed methodology of a qualitative and quantitative nature is adopted, combining bibliographic analysis, direct observation in the study area, the application of surveys and interviews, and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial analysis.
This study applied bioclimatic architecture strategies to single-family housing in Bogot & aacute;, Colombia, aiming to optimize thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and sustainability. A conventional model was compared with an optimized one through orientation, natural ventilation, shading, and thermal insulation. The methodology included official climatic data, 3D modeling, and energy simulations in DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus, with result analysis and indoor air quality assessment using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) managed through Python. The findings demonstrate that the optimized dwelling reduces total energy consumption by 30%, maintains indoor temperatures within the comfort range (18-22 degrees C), and keeps CO2 concentrations within recommended limits (<= 1000 ppm). The proper implementation of these passive strategies ensures structural durability by controlling condensation and humidity. This validates the bioclimatic approach as an efficient and replicable model for housing in temperate climates across South America.
In the face of climate change, measuring Carbon Footprints (CF) within a university setting offers institutions an opportunity to take an active role in mitigating their environmental impacts. This study aims to estimate the CF of the Faculty of Forestry Sciences (FCF) at the National University of Santiago del Estero (UNSE) for the period 2019-2022. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are estimated based on collected data, following the IRAM-ISO 14064-1:2020 Standard. The highest annual emissions were recorded in 2019, totaling 117,4 tCO2e, of which 66,4% resulted from electricity consumption and 33,6% from fuel combustion in institutional vehicles. Commuting by staff and students to the FCF in 2023 was the most significant source of emissions, amounting to 155,5 tCO2e. This analysis identified the main emission sources, providing an initial diagnosis to support improved environmental management at the university, reduce emissions, and promote sustainable development.
This paper is part of the research carried out for the unpublished doctoral thesis of Maria Bel & eacute;n Birche. It briefly describes what geothermal energy is and the systems that exist to exploit the resource. Subsequently, the study focuses on the simplest and most economical system, traditionally known as the 'Canadian Well'. Current regulations and installation requirements are analysed. The air pollutants to be avoided by the installation are detailed. Problems are identified to solve the parts of the system in the national market. Antecedents in Argentina and Europe are studied to solve the disadvantages found and solutions are proposed.
The territorial layout of public spaces in the recreation subsystem (PSR) plays a role in influencing the way a territory is inhabited, thereby fostering or discouraging social cohesion. This was the purpose of the study on urban proximity in the historic center of Toluca, Mexico. The analysis was conducted under the categories of Structure-Coverage and Modulation-Access. The first one presents quantitative and qualitative data derived from predefined indicators and variables of location, surface area, and variability; the second one is the walkable areas of influence based on PSR accesses. For this purpose, the "Service Scale Method" was applied, which refers to the maximum walkable presented in NOM-001 of the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial, and Urban Development. This demonstrates that the study area has the geographic conditions to function as an "interconnected system" that promote pedestrian traffic in the area.
Structural vacancy has emerged as a relevant issue in intermediate and non-metropolitan cities across Latin America. While traditionally linked to real estate speculation in large metropolitan areas, in smaller cities it follows a different logic-driven by demographic decline, aging populations, housing stock deterioration, and tenure conflicts that hinder reuse. This article analyzes the case of Treinta y Tres, Uruguay, where the housing vacancy rate (26.8%) is well above the national average. Using a quantitative-descriptive approach based on the 2023 Census, it identifies key factors behind vacancy, its spatial distribution, and its implications for urban planning and housing policy. The paradox of coexisting vacant homes and significant qualitative housing deficits in low-density areas with limited public investment is emphasized. The study argues for differentiated, multi-scalar policies-including fiscal tools, land banks, social rental programs, and tenure regularization. It proposes incorporating vacancy as a key indicator in housing monitoring systems to guide more effective interventions. The findings are potentially applicable to other Uruguayan departments with similar socio-territorial conditions.
This study analyzes how spatial configuration influences the perception of well-being and the reproduction of exclusion in the San Jos & eacute; Ter & aacute;n and Mirador II neighborhoods in Tuxtla Guti & eacute;rrez, Chiapas. Using an approach that combines geospatial analysis and social perception, it seeks to understand how certain elements of the environment construct segregation dynamics. Methodologies from the National Population Council (CONAPO) and an analysis of the dating of facilities are applied. The findings reveal that poor infrastructure and mobility, coupled with a lack of facilities, affect the daily experience of the territory, generating persistent inequalities. It concludes that segregation is not only a response to structural factors highlighting the need for strategies that integrate the material and social dimensions in territorial planning.
This study applied bioclimatic architecture strategies to single-family housing in Bogotá, Colombia, aiming to optimize thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and sustainability. A conventional model was compared with an optimized one through orientation, natural ventilation, shading, and thermal insulation. The methodology included official climatic data, 3D modeling, and energy simulations in DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus, with result analysis and indoor air quality assessment using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) managed through Python. The findings demonstrate that the optimized dwelling reduces total energy consumption by 30%, maintains indoor temperatures within the comfort range (18–22 °C), and keeps CO₂ concentrations within recommended limits (≤1000 ppm). The proper implementation of these passive strategies ensures structural durability by controlling condensation and humidity. This validates the bioclimatic approach as an efficient and replicable model for housing in temperate climates across South America.
This paper is part of the research carried out for the unpublished doctoral thesis of María Belén Birche. It briefly describes what geothermal energy is and the systems that exist to exploit the resource. Subsequently, the study focuses on the simplest and most economical system, traditionally known as the ‘Canadian Well’. Current regulations and installation requirements are analysed. The air pollutants to be avoided by the installation are detailed. Problems are identified to solve the parts of the system in the national market. Antecedents in Argentina and Europe are studied to solve the disadvantages found and solutions are proposed.
In the face of climate change, measuring Carbon Footprints (CF) within a university setting offers institutions an opportunity to take an active role in mitigating their environmental impacts. This study aims to estimate the CF of the Faculty of Forestry Sciences (FCF) at the National University of Santiago del Estero (UNSE) for the period 2019–2022. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are estimated based on collected data, following the IRAM-ISO 14064-1:2020 Standard. The highest annual emissions were recorded in 2019, totaling 117,4 tCO2e, of which 66,4% resulted from electricity consumption and 33,6% from fuel combustion in institutional vehicles. Commuting by staff and students to the FCF in 2023 was the most significant source of emissions, amounting to 155,5 tCO2e. This analysis identified the main emission sources, providing an initial diagnosis to support improved environmental management at the university, reduce emissions, and promote sustainable development.
Este artículo aborda una política de relocalización habitacional implementada en la ciudad de Formosa, Argentina, durante el año 2014, en respuesta a una gran inundación que afectó a numerosas familias formoseñas. La solución adoptada ante esta problemática fue una intervención conjunta entre el gobierno provincial y el municipal, que consistió en la relocalización de las familias damnificadas. El objetivo de esta investigación es visibilizar los efectos de dicha relocalización en la configuración del hábitat urbano, tomando como variables de análisis algunos de los componentes claves del concepto: vivienda, infraestructuras, equipamientos, localización, accesibilidad, movilidad y condiciones socioeconómicas. Para alcanzar los objetivos propuestos, se adopta una metodología mixta de carácter cualitativo y cuantitativo que combina análisis bibliográfico, observación directa en el área de estudio, aplicación de encuestas y entrevistas, y la utilización de Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG) para el análisis espacial.
La vacancia estructural ha emergido como una problemática relevante en ciudades intermedias y no metropolitanas de América Latina. Aunque tradicionalmente asociada a fenómenos de especulación inmobiliaria en grandes metrópolis, esta forma de vacancia adopta en ciudades más pequeñas una lógica distinta, vinculada a procesos de retracción demográfica, envejecimiento poblacional, deterioro del parque habitacional y conflictos de tenencia que obstaculizan la reutilización del stock construido.Este artículo analiza el caso del departamento de Treinta y Tres, Uruguay, donde la tasa de vacancia habitacional (26,8 %) supera ampliamente el promedio nacional. A partir de un enfoque cuantitativo-descriptivo basado en datos primarios del Censo 2023, se identifican los principales factores asociados a esta vacancia, así como su distribución territorial y sus implicancias para la planificación urbana y la política habitacional. Se destaca especialmente la coexistencia de un stock de viviendas vacías con un déficit habitacional cualitativo significativo, lo que configura una paradoja urbana frecuente en territorios de baja densidad y escasa inversión pública en rehabilitación.El trabajo argumenta que abordar la vacancia estructural requiere políticas diferenciadas y multiescalares, que incorporen instrumentos fiscales, bancos de tierras, alquiler social, y estrategias de regularización de la tenencia. Asimismo, se propone la incorporación de la vacancia como indicador clave en los sistemas de monitoreo habitacional, a fin de orientar intervenciones más eficaces en contextos de estancamiento o contracción poblacional. Los hallazgos tienen potencial de replicabilidad para otros departamentos del interior uruguayo con características socio-territoriales similares.
This research provides information on the number of daily trips made by each socioeconomic stratum in the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico, under a vision from spatial justice, in order to show the sociospatial inequalities that occur in daily mobility. Taking into account the vertical structure (socioeconomic stratum) and horizontal structure (spatial location), a methodology is established that proposes the geostatistical analysis of the EOD 2017 through GIS, with the purpose of comparing the mobility patterns that occur both in the center and in the periphery. The results show that the lower strata have a greater number of displacements in the periphery, while the middle and high strata show greater movement in the center. The largest number of internal trips made by the lower stratum occurs in the periphery, while external trips are mainly made in the outskirts near the central city.
The intervention of public policy in housing and habitat matters usually calls together a very diverse set of social actors. The public housing manager is one of them, commonly identified as an intermediary between recipients and the State. This essay makes a theoretical-empirical approximation of the role of the public housing manager, taking as starting point developments in housing policy issues and the professional practice in public administration, with a special focus on Latin America. The concept and some background on housing management are addressed, as well as the professional activity of the public housing manager, as well as the perspective of managers on the (re)interpretation and (re)positioning of needs in housing policies, as well as the new urban issues to be considered in the management of cities. As a result, it contributes to the postponed understanding and discussion in the consideration of housing managers as policy actors.
Urban problems and the interventions designed to address them, can function as a fertile ground for the experimentation of planning and management instruments. Although some of these initiatives may end up frustrated in their implementation, others manage to go beyond their original scope and can be transferred and reinterpreted in other contexts. Taking case studies four different urban policies proposed in the same sector of the city of Buenos Aires, the paper analyzes two dimensions of them: their experimental character, and their capacity of circulation and scaling up to other contexts within the local scale. The results will show how a specific area of the city can function as an intervention laboratory, becoming both a sender and receiver of diverse initiatives, illustrating their potential for mobilization and scaling, enabling these initiatives to be applied in other projects, contexts, or scales within the same city.
This paper offers an alternative way of understanding urban-regional hierarchies based on the reinterpretation of a set of indicators conventionally used in spatial analysis. For this, a methodology was designed based on two statistical techniques, a Principal Component Analysis and a Cluster analysis that supports the relevance of conceptualizing peri-urban spaces as a modality of certain urban-regional consolidation. The application of the methodology to the Central Region of Mexico resulted in the identification of five clusters ranging from central urban areas to rural municipalities, which highlights three intermediate categories that synthesize an interface profile, according to the prevalence of specific variables in each of them and that allow us to precisely characterize different local peri-urban dynamics, omitted under the conventional urban-rural scheme.
