Existence through Resistance: Offering Amazonian Communities Economic Alternatives to Urban Migration

Abstract

Brazil’s Amazonia is being severely affected by forced migration and deforestation. The lack of opportunities in small communities within the Amazon rainforest plays a key role in the growth of slums in the region’s main cities. Simultaneously, urban expansion causes inherent loss of fertile soils increasing rainforest deforestation. This project aims to reverse this situation by proposing to mobilize local groups in order to stimulate entrepreneurship and generate sustainable economic opportunities. The project is located in Mapia, in the state of Amazonas, where there is already an ongoing collaboration with local people. Moreover, they are interested in further developing a sustainable economy based on certified logging. The proposal takes inspiration from Maya agro-urbanism and the indigenous architecture of the Amazonian Yanomami people. The idea is to integrate the built environment with agricultural fields. Furthermore, it will make use of local construction techniques and materials promoting a sense of identity and ownership while also minimizing environmental impact.