In 2019, SYMA created 120 jobs through Colombia's El Paraíso. 7 years later, 67% became homeowners, 91% bought their first homes, 99% of waste was diverted, water use fell 25%, earning 5 stars

When Urbanización El Paraíso was developed in Colombia in 2019, the project was designed to do more than provide housing. It aimed to make homeownership more accessible while improving living conditions, supporting the local community and reducing environmental impacts, as per a report by the World Green Building Council.

Seven years later, the project stands out for the results reported across housing, employment, waste management, water efficiency and community development. The project generated 120 formal jobs, while 67% of residents became homeowners and 91% of homeowners said it was their first home.

El Paraíso also achieved a five-star, exceptional level of sustainability under CASA Colombia Certification, reflecting its performance across several areas of the development.

How did El Paraíso make homeownership more accessible?

For many families, the project represented a route into homeownership that had previously been difficult to reach. At El Paraíso, 91% of homeowners were purchasing their first home, while 67% of residents owned their housing unit.

The project also kept housing costs accessible to the local market. Colombia's maximum value for social housing was listed at $30,733, while the total value of homes in the urbanisation was just over $25,000.

Mortgage instalments averaged only $68.3, compared with rental values ranging from $91. This created a potential surplus for families who became owners, as per a report by the World Green Building Council.

SYMA also worked with families earning less than $15 a day, helping them understand financial options, saving strategies and mortgage credit. Families were supported in applying for housing subsidies from national and departmental governments and family compensation funds.

The project also gave residents greater freedom inside their homes. Residents were encouraged to improve their interior spaces, unlike many social housing projects where such changes are restricted.

What did the project bring to the local community?

The impact extended beyond the homes themselves. El Paraíso created 120 formal jobs, with the project placing emphasis on diversity and equal employment opportunities.

Of the new jobs, 20% went to people over 55, 25% to people under 25, 10% to indigenous people, 5% to women and 3% to people with disabilities.

Local participation was also built into the construction process. Through the National Learning Service, SENA, and CESDE Academic Institution, 26 people from the surrounding community received training and participated in the project.

A social strategy known as SYMA CULTURE was used to develop leadership abilities and community organisation. The aim was to strengthen security, belonging, care and protection of the shared spaces and assets created through the project.

El Paraíso was also positioned close to the main municipal transport route, central park and other services. Its open areas provide space for social interaction, recreation and commercial activity, while an ecological trail offers another shared community space.

An urban agriculture area was included as well, with the project identifying it as a way to support financial sustainability and future food and nutritional security.

How did El Paraíso reduce its environmental impact?

Environmental performance was another major part of the development. The project achieved a 100% rating in its flood-risk mitigation criteria for extreme weather events and met earthquake resistance requirements that exceeded those required by Colombian law for this type of project.

The surrounding forest and Yalí creek were also part of the project's resilience strategy. Native species were planted, ecological corridors were incorporated into landscaping, and reforestation was used to help strengthen the area's ability to respond to possible flooding during the rainy season.

Separate networks were created for domestic wastewater and rainwater. Green areas, along with rainwater infiltration and storage strategies, were used to reduce peak flows and help preserve the water balance.

Water efficiency also became a measurable part of the project's performance. Measures introduced at the development reduced water consumption by 25%.

Energy efficiency measures produced an 18.95% improvement in housing-unit energy efficiency against the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 standard. Natural ventilation and lighting were also incorporated into the homes, supporting thermal comfort in a region where temperatures reach around 27°C throughout the year.

Waste management was another significant achievement. More than 688 tonnes of construction and demolition waste were reused, contributing to the project's landscaping. Overall, 99% of waste generated during construction was diverted, while more than 18,000 tonnes of solid waste material were recycled during construction and the first operational year.

Organic waste was fully composted, with more than 7.1 tonnes of organic material used through source-separated collection during construction and the first year of operation.

These combined efforts helped El Paraíso receive the Exceptional Level of Sustainability, Five Stars, under CASA Colombia Certification. The project was also recognised through the Construimos a La Par awards in the Women in Construction category, received the National Camacol Corporate Social Responsibility Award for Best Environmental Management Programme in 2022, and won the Corantioquia Sustainability Seal in Category A.



For El Paraíso, the results combine affordability, homeownership, employment, community participation and environmental efficiency. What began as a social housing development in 2019 has since been recognised for creating opportunities for residents while addressing sustainability and resilience within the project.

FAQs

How many El Paraíso residents became homeowners?
67% of residents became homeowners.

How much did water consumption fall?
Water consumption was reduced by 25% through efficiency measures.