Urban, Environmental and Habitability Parameters for Social Housing

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to propose a set of parameters for urban, environmental, and habitability impacts for the feasibility analysis of social housing projects. Theoretical framework: Given the historical housing deficit, the large scale of social housing segment has been challenging managers in terms of environmental (volume of inputs, energy, waste), economic (high investment), and social (urban relations) impacts. Thus, efficiency in the performance of Social Housing Projects is a relevant aspect, regarding the importance that housing represents in users’ lives. Method/design/approach: The research strategy used was case studies, using 12 social housing projects built in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre. The parameters analyzed refer to urban, environmental and habitability impact, based on data collected in loco, seeking to identify the main variables that influence each one, categorized as greater, medium or smaller influence. Results and conclusion: The variables with the most significant impact were: (i) mobility, access to opportunities, degree of localism, and social networks (urban parameters); (ii) index of compactness of the buildings and place of manufacture of the materials (environmental parameters); (iii) bioclimatic zone, facade color, window size, architectural type, and (iv) construction system (living parameters). Research implications: The proposed parameters may be helpful to public authorities (funders/inspectors), designers/builders (executors), and academics (theoretical/technical support) as a guide to more efficient social housing solutions involving the construction of programs, guidelines for public notices, parameters assessment, among others. Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing literature by encompassing a systemic approach to EHIS, being propositional through parameters that integrate issues related to construction and urban performance.