Informal urbanization in Colombia, closely tied to political instability and internal conflict, is a widespread phenomenon. This includes the so-called barrios de invasión, informal settlements resulting from illegal occupations and self-managed transformations of the territory. These urban fabrics escape regular planning and regulatory control, characterized by the absence of basic services and small living spaces constructed with readily available and economical materials. This research focuses on the case of Nueva Esperanza, an example of a Colombian informal neighbourhood in the rural area of the city of Manizales. It stands out for its high level of community organization and the adoption of a single natural material for construction: local bamboo, known as guadua. The research work began with six months of fieldwork in Colombia, conducting an analysis of existing urbanisation and housing solutions through topographical and architectural surveys, photo campaigns, focus group sessions with residents and interviews to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Research activities continued with proposals for technological improvements to some houses and led to the design of a self-built construction system using guadua as the main material. This specific and contextual choice, highlighted by the case study itself, aims to counteract the stigma associated with this material, often linked to backwardness, and reclaim the nearly disappeared vernacular construction culture: the Bahareque technique. Bamboo as a building material is a precious resource with many potentials not only from a technological and mechanical standpoint but also environmentally. The approach emphasizes the importance of directly involving communities, leveraging local resources, and promoting long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability in resolving the housing crisis.