Second Abstract Draft

 What does it take to enhance the quality of life in impoverished, overcrowded communities in foreign countries? There are thousands of subpar communities around the globe. In these communities, families of two to ten do not have access to key necessities such as decent produce markets, an established financial system to provide jobs, and basic living utilities such as gas, electricity and running water.

La Zurza, which is located in the Dominican Republic's Capital, Santo Domingo; Its residents live in broken down homes made up of zinc, tin, and walls crafted out of metal cans and cardboard. The locals often cannot afford to fix their living conditions nor relocate. The existing water sources are polluted with the communities’ own waste which often includes waste water and garbage. These systemic and unsustainable issues derive from the overcrowded surroundings and modern urbanization of the nation's capital, which therefore pushed many of the low income residents towards these neighborhoods who can no longer afford to live in the capital. La Zurza, and communities that are statistically similar to it, have been forgotten by their local government and there has been very little effort towards revitalization.

With La Zurza’s existing conditions, we can propose a solution that can be applied as a widespread urban master plan that proposes a well established food market, community center, and waterfront revitalization, all of which will inject a financial influx of paying jobs for the community's residents. But most importantly, propose an inexpensive form of living by developing hybrid and modular dwelling units that can be implemented as micro housing. These dwelling units can come equipped with one's basic living necessities, and therefore eliminating the need for overcrowding within the community, while being sustainable for the environment. This opportunity can give these hopeful but forgotten residents an opportunity to financially grow and move out of these communities.