COLOMBIA – Casa de Paso in Docordó

Year and location

2009. Colombia

ATSF Commission

Julio Morrás Jiménez, Iñaki Martín Martincorena, Ferran Casadesus Blancas

Counterpart

Asociación de Autoridades Wounaan del Pacífico (CAMAWA)

Description

Docordó is the municipal nucleus of the Littoral of the San Juan River, a region of the Colombian Pacific jungle. The Wounaan indigenous community, which lives in the rural area of the region, depends on the services offered by the nucleus and must be relocated to do so. The project aims to create a “halfway” house for indigenous people who come to Docordó to study or access health services.
Once the socioeconomic study is carried out, the plot will be obtained with the participation of the City of Docordó for 50% of the cost, and finally begin with the design and budget of the house.

Objectives

Formulate a design of the reception centre suitable to the traditional constructive typology and culture. State of the art of the Wounaan people and feasibility of the project. Involve all stakeholders.
Through the construction of an office complex, a student residence and a hospital rehabilitation area, the aim is to strengthen the role of the Wounaan culture in front of the institutions of the region and to provide accommodation for families who have travelled for health reasons to Docordó.

Beneficiaries

Wounaan Indigenous Community, San Juan River Littoral

Context

The Wounaan people are an indigenous community established more than five centuries ago, located on the banks of the San Juan River between the departments of Chocó and Valle del Cauca in Colombia. It is a population of around 9066 people. Its means of transport due to its location is based on canoe or walking; its economy is based on the construction of housing, the preparation of banana “colinos”, hunting, wood carving and commercial transactions, which is why ease of transport and movement between trade agreements is of vital importance.