Registos (semi)ocultos e manifestos nos modos de vida e de habitar: O ‘bairro social’ das Andorinhas em Braga

This paper discusses the results of a research project developed at Andorinhas neighborhood, created in the early 1980’s in Braga. It is based on quantitative and qualitative data resulting from the application of a survey and life narratives. This methodology allowed for the analyses of the objective living conditions, habits and ways of life, relationships and representations not only between various groups of the community, as well as the relations between the neighborhood inhabitants and the surrounding society, including the institutions and public powers (police, court, social security, and especially the Municipality and municipal housing company BragaHabit). The results suggest the presence of (semi)hidden records, both at family and community levels, that result in actions and claims for neighborhood improvements.