This project is based upon a Plan for Sustainable Reconstruction (PRES) of Constitución, developed after the 8.8 earthquake and tsunami of February 27, 2010. Instead of forbidding settlements, ignoring the risk or building massive infrastructure, the plan is based on applying a “geographical answer” to the geographical threat. A forest able to mitigate the impact of a tsunami was proposed.

If the trees had the right density, diameter and resistance to horizontal loads, we might reduce the wave’s energy by 40% (empirical evidence of the efficacy of the approach is the island in front of the city, which not only reduced the force of the waves, but also served as a vertical escape route, that saved many). Located behind this first line of defense are facilities that have specific restrictions on the use and layout of ground floor areas. These two interventions are accompanied by an evacuation plan as the third protection element.

The introduction of the mitigation also responded to an existing demand of the community due to flooding from rains that were occurring every year. The retardant lagoon and lamination gap mitigate tidal impact on rising floodwaters while at the same time upgrading obsolete urban standards from 2.2sqm of green space/person to 6.6sqm.

Read project overview: Sustainable post-tsunami reconstruction master plan, Constitución, Chile »