Ateneo de Manila-Ateneo de Naga research collaboration: Prepositioning of innovative technologies

This is a pioneer project that brought together the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) technologies of Ateneo Innovations Center (AIC) and recycled concrete technology of the Civil Engineering Department, from the Ateneo de Manila University and Ateneo de Naga University, respectively.

With the collaboration between the two Ateneos, the Disaster-Resilient and Self-Sustaining House for Community Growth and Resilience Development Innovations (DIGDI) and  Sustainable Technologies for Environmental and Ecological Resilience (STEER) was crafted. This joint project aims to create a self-sustaining, resilient house made of Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete (RCAC) with clean water system, built-in rainwater catchment facility, hydroponics system, solar-powered lighting and fan, image transmission via radio communication system, domestic liquid waste-treatment system, NearCloud technology, and communal cooking area with a water heater.

These technologies address the primary lifeline gaps during and after the disaster. This is being built in Panicuason, a remote barangay that  has a high social vulnerability index in Naga City. The city is located in Bicol which is a typhoon prone region in the Philippines. This project provides a holistic approach to sustainability and resilience and aims to build community capacity. 

Both the design and construction approach include co-designing, co-ownership, and co-generation to ensure the sustainability of community resilience and development. This project is also participated with different partners, primarily the Local Government of Naga, preserving a multi-stakeholder approach.

This project aims to share the collaboration gains and insights to give light on research collaborations between institutions to further shape future research that will address global challenges with a multidisciplinary lens.