The study narrows its focus to Pamplona Alta, a hillside sector of San Juan de Miraflores defined by steep topography, self-built housing, and active community organizations. As an intermediate spatial scale, Pamplona Alta displays critical urban and environmental dynamics:
High Density & Progressive Self-Building: Predominance of incremental, step-by-step housing construction, largely executed without formal technical assistance and constrained by household economics.
Complex Topographic Conditions: Extreme slopes generate structural risk, restrict accessibility, and heighten exposure to soil erosion and landslides.
Infrastructure Deficits: Persistent gaps in public space, green areas, community facilities, and basic urban service quality compared to lower, consolidated zones.
Socio-Environmental Vulnerability: High solar exposure, lack of vegetation cover, and absent stormwater drainage systems combine to create intense environmental pressures on self-built structures.
