Bahareque: sustainability and construction tradition in the Afro-descendant community of Salinas-Imbabura, Ecuador

This paper presents initial findings from an ongoing investigation about the revitalization of cultural heritage and bahareque construction techniques in Salinas, Imbabura, Ecuador. The research is qualitative and seeks to recognize the sustainability values of these vernacular buildings. Salinas, a rural parish with a predominantly Afro-descendant population, has experienced a loss and modification of its construction traditions due to the introduction of industrialized materials. The study is based on a literature review and the recovery of the memory of elderly residents through semi-structured interviews. Content analysis of the collected data was carried out through four key categories: materiality, building characteristics, construction process and community participation. The results highlight the constructive advantages of bahareque and its capacity to promote community participation, as well as its adaptability to local resources. The research underlines the importance of revitalizing these ancestral techniques and their contribution to sustainability.