In June 2005 an earthquake decimated the historic village of San Lorenzo in Tarapacá, Chile. The municipal buildings and 81 houses were reconstructed both rapidly and economically, using local methods and materials to maintain the traditional character, but adding modern structural systems for stability and longevity. The project won a Holcim Awards Acknowledgement prize 2008 for Latin America. It meets the basic needs of today’s residents, secures the continuance of the community, and preserves and restores the significant architectural and cultural heritage for future generations to appreciate.
 Read project update – Post-earthquake reconstruction, San Lorenzo de Tarapacá, Chile
Definition – Ethical standards and social equity – “People”
The project must adhere to the highest ethical standards and support social equity at all stages of construction, from planning and building processes to long-term impact on the fabric of that community. The project has to provide an advanced response in terms of ethical and social responsibility.
- Adherence to ethical standards in all phases of the project's life cycle.
- Contributions to the formation of socially viable environments and the values of communities.
- Participation of stakeholders (client, users, neighborhood, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and others).
- Quality of working conditions in the suppliers' workshop, on site and during operation (compensation, safety, basic needs, gender issues).
- Political transparency and correctness.
Especially in poor countries, sustainable construction means building to supply urgent and basic needs: shelter, water, schools, access to goods and services, and medical care. In other countries, affordable housing is a main issue. In still others, the problem is wasteful and excessive consumption, which might be financially affordable but is irresponsible. Leaving sufficient materials and resources for others, including future generations, is a moral duty.
Sustainability requires a built infrastructure that respond to the emotional and psychological needs of people by providing stimulating environments, raising awareness of important values, inspiring the human spirit, and bonding societies, communities, and neighborhoods. Many sustainable construction projects are developed by teams using a collective approach through which stakeholders and users are included in the design process. The process requires the highly-principled treatment of people during the design, construction, use, and recycling of buildings.
 | Example - Evergreen Brick Works heritage site revitalization, Toronto, Canada
The transformation of Don Valley Brick Works into Evergreen Brick Works, Canada’s first large-scale community environmental center is a catalyst for societal and urban change, making sustainable ideas reality.
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 | Example - School infrastructure from local resources, Vele and Vryheid, South Africa
Unlike typical rural African schools, these are not standard designs, but architecturally-conceived buildings that are integrally connected to the communities that built them and use them.
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