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