Sustainable transformation in the Latin American and Caribbean districts through the implementation of a qualitative methodology. Challenges and key aspects to be addressed

Abstract

To mitigate the advance of rapid urbanization and the growing percentage of energy consumption in the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean region, it is necessary to transform these inhabited environments into efficient and sustainable areas. Energy consumption in this region has been mainly understood as an indicator of activity and development, often relegating the parameters of efficiency, environment and sustainability to the background. Therefore, it is necessary to adapt these criteria in the transformation processes of cities, considering energy efficiency, environment, energy accessibility, social inclusion and the green economy as key aspects. This requires governance models based on local factors that consider all the agents involved, enacting more sustainable and inclusive regulations and standards. This article presents a transformation methodology based on the analytical study of several districts in the Latin American and Caribbean region. This methodology enhances the ease implementation, provides great adaptability and replicability in different areas and contextual situations, and reduces reliance on information availability, focused instead on practically relevant and impactful solutions.