Reconstruction Spurred by Innovation, Social Impact

Acapulco, in the state of Guerrero, stands out as a renowned tourist destination, attracting      local, and international visitors, including celebrities. However, it suffered devastation following the onslaught of Category 5 Hurricane Otis in October 2023. At a recent morning conference, the governor of Guerrero presented significant advances that have been made since then, highlighting the reactivation of 68% of the hotel supply with the opening of 180 hotels in various areas of the municipality, 85% progress in the rehabilitation of the airport, and the comprehensive restoration of the telecommunications sector, including mobile and fixed communication, internet, broadcasting, and satellite connectivity. These achievements reflect not only the reconstruction effort, but also Acapulco's resilience in the face of adversity. In this context, it is essential to examine the initial challenges faced in the reconstruction of this city.

Material and Labor Shortages

The shortage of construction materials has added to the challenges that the reconstruction of Acapulco has faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis. The high demand for products such as cement, rebar and other essential materials has led distributors to schedule deliveries up to two months in advance.

Another challenge is the increase in the demand for workers in the construction sector; a month ago, it was mentioned that the municipality requires 80% more labor force than it currently has to advance in the reconstruction work. It has been mentioned that part of the strategy to face this labor shortage is the DIY (do it yourself) construction system;      however, if people are not advised or do not have the necessary knowledge to perform this work, the quality and construction of the work cannot be guaranteed.

No Time or Financing

The previous challenges hinder the speed of reconstruction in the area, as the increase in material and labor costs delays construction times and increases prices, causing people to seek more financing, either by obtaining credit, which is not granted easily or quickly, or by migrating to other states to obtain stable work.

In the damage assessment, it was found that more than 80% of the hotel infrastructure was damaged after the incident. It was also estimated that it would take two years and MX$300,000 million to rebuild the municipality. Different supports were deployed both to the families and to the hotel industry.

Innovation Is the Key

For a tourist destination like Acapulco, on which thousands of families depend, it was necessary to prioritize a safe and fast reconstruction. Lightweight construction systems emerged as the answer to this need, as they can be installed up to six times faster than a traditional wall, reducing installation time by up to 70% compared to traditional systems.

The first step was to find the right solution for this project, starting with the detection of needs, including both geographical requirements and the current regulatory framework for construction. Subsequently, innovation in lightweight construction materials was what guaranteed the best solution.

In this sense, the use of STRUCTO-STEEL® stands out, a more advanced galvanized construction system with technology that combines calculation software and manufacturing equipment to elaborate structures with thermal envelope, using USG solutions. This allowed the use of tailor-made, fast and resistant processes, because it does not require water in its construction process. In addition, its high performance allows the construction of houses of 120 square meters in only two weeks and can withstand wind thrust of more than 300km/h.

The use of this technology has allowed a reconstruction with the best quality, resistance and in record time to host emblematic tourism projects, such as the Abierto Mexicano of Tennis that takes place annually in the region, leaving a great economic benefit.

Social Approach

Moreover, innovation is not only about the use of technology, but can also be applied to social projects. Due to the growing demand for construction workers in Acapulco, public-private partnerships were established for reconstruction. One example is the USG Academy, the first training center focused on the theoretical and practical knowledge of lightweight construction systems, which with the support of the state government, allowed the free training of the public in general in the region. Skilled labor will be key to meet the demand of hotels, restaurants and the residential sector that need to build their businesses quickly and safely.

Lightweight construction systems play a key role in the reactivation of and social contribution in Acapulco after Hurricane Otis. The report presented by the governor of Guerrero shows significant progress in reconstruction, highlighting the resilience of the community in the face of adversity. However, challenges that hinder the speed of the reconstruction process remain. It is imperative that these collaborative efforts continue to accelerate reconstruction and ensure a prosperous future for the region.