Housing and Guarani-kaiowá identity

history, culture and spatial tradition in contemporary design challenges of an urban settlement

Abstract

This study examines the housing conditions of indigenous populations in urban contexts. It aims to investigate the spatial dynamics and traditional dwellings of the Guarani-Kaiowá people in Naviraí-MS, Brazil, analyzing the necessary architectural and cultural adaptations for contemporary housing needs. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining literature review, document analysis, case study, and field research. These methods systematically compared data collected, yielding a theoretical framework for spatial relationships in designing contemporary Indigenous settlements. Key findings reveal that traditional territorial spaces maintain symbolic significance even in urban areas yet face dual challenges: inadequate adaptation of housing projects to collective and cultural needs and insufficient public infrastructure management. The study concludes that addressing Indigenous urban housing requires an interdisciplinary approach integrating architecture, urban planning, anthropology, and public policy to reconcile territoriality, sustainability, cultural identity, and modern living conditions.