The Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation announced on Apr. 21 that it will carry out geophysical zoning studies in the urban areas of Canta (province of Canta) and Antioquía (province of Huarochirí), both located in the Lima region. The initiative is being conducted through the Programa Nuestras Ciudades and involves a partnership with the Geophysical Institute of Peru, an agency under the Ministry of Environment.
These studies are expected to benefit more than 12,800 residents—11,400 in Canta and 1,400 in Antioquía—by providing technical information about soil behavior during earthquakes. This data will help anticipate risks and reduce potential damage to homes and urban infrastructure.
To support this work, the ministry has transferred S/96,260 to the Geophysical Institute as specified by Ministerial Resolution No. 160-2026-VIVIENDA. The planned research includes environmental vibration analysis, multichannel surface wave studies (MASW), electrical tomography of soil, geotechnical tests, and identification of areas at risk for landslides or mass movements.
The ministry said these findings will strengthen urban planning efforts by guiding land use decisions, optimizing structural designs for investment projects, and improving disaster risk management across territories. “El Ministerio de Vivienda reafirma su compromiso de continuar trabajando de manera articulada con las entidades técnicas y los Gobiernos locales para prevenir riesgos, proteger a la población y promover el desarrollo de ciudades más seguras y ordenadas en todo el país,” said officials from the ministry.
According to its official website, the Ministry contributes to social wellbeing by enhancing access to housing and basic services while fostering sustainable territorial development throughout Peru. It operates as an autonomous entity within the Peruvian Executive Branch established by Law No. 27779 according to official information. Its headquarters are located in San Isidro, Lima with regional Centers of Citizen Attention supporting nationwide initiatives as reported by the ministry.
Since 2011, there have been 43 seismic microzonation studies completed across various localities as part of public policy integrating disaster risk management with sustainable urban development. In 2025 a similar study was conducted in Chincho center population area in Huancavelica.
