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This research introduces a methodology for analyzing rural housing in Mexico, focusing on sustainability indicators. It involves four stages: a) conducting a participatory diagnosis to identify the materials and configurations used in different types of housing; b) developing a metric based on environmental, energy, functional, social, and economic parameters; c) performing a multi-criteria evaluation using weighted indicators derived from the proposed parameters; and d) defining general guidelines for housing management. The study identified five primary housing configurations based on clay brick, concrete, wood, asbestos, cardboard, earth, galvanized sheet, and clay tile. The results show ranges of the indicators with raw material costs per square meter from 0 to USD 11 and construction labor between 0 and USD 31. The material properties such as thermal conductivity ranged from 0. 001 W/m ºC to 58 W/m ºC and the mechanical compressive strength from 3 kg/cm² to 2500 kg/cm². Emissions associated with impact categories such as global warming varied from 0 to 55.1 kgCO₂/m², eutrophication from -0.024 to 1.21 kgPO₄/m², and acidification from 0 to 9.91 kgSO2/m². A primary conclusion of the study is that contemporary housing designs must prioritize utilizing local materials. This approach would lead to construction methods that are thermally and mechanically efficient, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable. The study indicates that the traditional “Troje” house, constructed with local wood through sustainable management practices, offers the best balance of environmental impact, cost, and technical functionality compared to houses built with modern materials. It is recommended that its use be promoted as it better meets the needs of biocultural communities.

Potable water and sanitation are priorities since pollutants pose health risks in Mexican rural communities. In this study, the San Francisco Pichataro (Michoacán) WWTP effluent was subjected to a post-bioadsorption treatment. For this purpose, activated bioadsorbents from avocado waste were developed. Avocado waste represents ∼34 metric tons per day in the considered municipality. The WQI tool was used to assess the water quality for the WWTP influent, effluent, and the post-bioadsorption effluent (permeate). The application of the activated bioadsorbent increased the WQI from 30 to 70, removing about 1600 to 1900 mg L−1 of COD and ≈50% of hardness (Mg2+ and Ca2+), and enhancing the quality of the WWTP effluent. This improvement means the permeate flux could be used for crop irrigation or sanitation activities, improving water resource management.