Technology-Based Housing Environments in Mexico

The design of technological solutions for less privileged groups of the global population is an increasingly important aim for many companies around the world. The inclusion of low-income market segments in the companies’ market perspectives can make them active players in the mitigation of poverty and contribute to the efforts of governments and non-government organizations (NGOs), while also increasing their market share. With technological products in particular, it is not just a matter of making products more accessible or affordable to less privileged customers, but to design those products with an understanding of their living conditions, educational, environmental, and economic challenges. Such concerns must be carefully studied in order to not only derive the requirements for the technology, but also to inform the design of the environments in which such products will be utilized.

Such an approach to environment design is currently shaping the efforts of a housing community in Tecámac, Mexico. Conectha (for Connect Habitat), in partnership with Intel, Microsoft, the Mexican government, a local builder, and a local computer company are creating a new generation of technology-enabled houses in a secure community for people with low-incomes in the City of Tecámac. The environment design approach followed by Conectha focuses on designing communities which integrate the technology (e.g., wireless internet, low cost computers, security cameras) to create a community environment that meets specific needs of low-income consumers such as physical security, safety, local schools, electronic shopping, a community center for entrepreneurial activities, etc.

The project will build 1,800 houses, complete with wireless capability, a computer, and free Internet access (for six months) and sell for about $25,000. Nine hundred houses have already been sold and are under construction. The houses are about 30 square meters or more, with 2-4 bedrooms. The community will be walled with security and will have a school located within so that children do not have to go outside the community for their education. The Mexican Ministry of Housing is supporting the project and providing loans for the houses. The houses are offered with a $500 Intel-based computer manufactured by Texa, a local company in partnership with Intel. The computer will be connected to the Internet by Conectha who also will provide a set of additional services including: community information, e-mail, educational content, on-line ordering of grocery and other products, and access to security systems. The computer will also have installed productivity packages provided by Microsoft.

Starting in January 2006, Alladi Venkatesh and Victor M. Gonzalez will conduct a study of the Tecámac community. The study will be an ethnographic investigation aimed at understanding the experiences around the creation of tech-enabled communities for low-income consumers. The study will also explore the role of technology as a factor associated with the purchase of housing, the creation of self-contained communities, and the integration of technological services to the daily practices of low-income families. The study will involve 30-40 families in the community as well as the companies and agencies involved with the project. The researchers anticipate 4 rounds of interviews and visits to the community over 24 months.