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Site- Planning Guidelines for Low Income Housing in the State of São Paulo, Brazil: Based on POE

and AXIOMS

Doris C.C. K. Kowaltowski Vanessa G. da Silva

Lucila C. LabakiSilvia A. Milami G. PinaRegina C. Ruschel and

Daniel de Carvalho Moreira

18th IAPS Conference Vienna July 7 -10 2004

School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban DesignSchool of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Design, State University of Campinas, Brazil

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Introduction

Research goals: Evaluate typical low-income housing in the State of São Paulo Improve future designs Develop design evaluation method

POE study: Projects of CDHU:

Largest Housing Authority in the State of São Paulo Study region:

around the city of Campinas Five projects:

Campinas, Atibaia, Valinhos, Itatiba and Santa Barbara 107 questionnaires:

representing 5% of residential units POE period:

summer months

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Questionnaires based on indicators:

Quality of life: within the scope of architecture: environmental comfort

thermal, visual, acoustics, functional space, quality of air psychological wellbeing user perception of territory resolve feelings of privacy, crowding, safety and security scope of individualization

Sustainability: Brundtland Commission development footprint, construction density, impermeability

rates, choice of materials, soil conservation, urban form, micro climate, traffic situations.

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Design Concepts - CDHU

Similar design concepts and population strata Repetition + Symmetry = Monotony Fairly low density Lack of landscaping Overuse of man made objects Lack of maintenance Low satisfaction with emotional and perceptual

needs

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Design Criteria - CDHU

Standardized building types 4 to 7 floor apartment buildings Single family units on narrow individual walled lots Two bed room program Public land is poorly used Many transformations

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Transformations

Introduction of:site limiting fences, walls,

gates trash containersModifications of:additionstotal transformations

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Single Family Housing Urban Scenes

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Scenes from multi family projects

Sidewalks?Trash containers?Hoses to wash public areas?

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POE study results:

Site-planning observations: Low density and arbitrary siting of buildings Lack of urban infrastructure (sidewalks, etc.) Steep sites = problem of community integration Individual introduction of fences, garages General aspect of abandon, lack of maintenance Public land = unused, no community spirit Apartments on ground floors = lack of privacy

User observations: Lack of experience in participatory management Dream home = single family house on individual lot Few planning problems perceived Density considered low = provide more housing for others (!)

High satisfaction and forgiveness rates (!)

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POE study results:

Quality of life: Rent to be paid, job market Unrelated to physical conditions of comfort Feeling of security:

community overshadowed by drug problems fairly good inside their own homes

Better schools and health services needed

Sustainability: Cost of utility bills Car ownership desired Pollution not considered a problem Vegetation considered positive (few trees planted by population) No intervention on public land

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Children: observations

Objects to fix play activities in space: Gas bottle deposit to sit and play on Open drains to sit and draw Joint use of green area: football, marbles, bicycle

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Children: perception

Reinforced architectural elements: Security bars, openings,

antennas, gas deposit Non existing elements reinforced

(desires): Symbol of house (gable roof on

buildings) Vegetation

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Site-planning guidelines

Local guidelines: Based on universal recommendations

climate and culture adaptations

Lack of resources cannot be factor of perpetuating inadequate housing solutions

Cannot be based on satisfaction rates Exploited politically Unrelated to housing quality

Difficulty of introducing desired design factors: Complexity, multidisciplinary Need changes on 3 fronts

political, conceptual and follow-up programs

Spatial, Morphological, Contextual, Visual, Perceptual

Social, Functional, Sustainable

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Local guidelines:

Community and security: High crime rates demand closed community solutions (!) Detailing of territorial limits

Avoid images of confinement and isolation from urban life Facilitate access of visitors

Street and path systems: Attention to sun and wind orientation Introduce sidewalks and urban vegetation at design stage Good shade trees everywhere Integrate paths and controlled entrances

Site-planning: Plan common facilities with users Clotheslines in the sun,

Visible from residences and away from children playing Areas for family barbecues and typical local festivities

Large flat covered (shaded) area

Urban Design: Objects to fix play spatially Provide for proper disposal of garbage Locate bus stops appropriately

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Local guidelines:

Landscaping: Tropical climates need shade Avoid construction damage from tree roots Gentle grading Good visibility of open areas Easy maintenance

Public open space: Avoid left over spaces Accommodate flat areas for play Shade and benches to watch children Easy maintenance

Private open space: Provide shaded terrace, flowerbeds Discourage incorporation into indoor area (suff. functional area)

Architecture: (If must !) use stock plans intelligently

Enhance siting, landscaping, color Adequate functional areas to avoid transformations Elevate ground floor to half height for privacy Provide access for disabled persons Garbage: provide for adequate disposal, incentives to recycling

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Search for a housing design method:

Present scenario: Existence of a certain arrogance, fear of being ordinary Solving wicket problems, no real methodological support Process not externalized or documented Aversion to rigid application of methods Use of analogies, formal languages and building typologies Decision making process:

Creative process subjective, not linear through analysis and synthesis Importance of intuition and abstraction Rational process dependent on good data

Some solutions? Simulations Argumentative methods - structured debates Optimization Participation, gaming Environmental impact studies (BREEAM, LEED) POE studies with improved documentation

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Improve the method:

Closing the gap between perception – POE documentation: Sound, smell, temperature, dust etc… Feelings of insecurity, harassment, etc. Spatial configurations

Photos, drawings – not the real thing (!) Psychological impact:

Inadequate conditions Lack of privacy Lack of escape (valve) place

Design divorced from economic/social factors: Jobs versus view? Space versus access to “good activities”?

Testing:

How long would you let your mother live in this place?

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Some ways out !

Create a design and evaluation method Based on “Houses Generated by Patterns” (Alexander, 1969) Richness of information Defining design concepts with quality of life Decomposition of design complexity through hierarchies

Apply axiomatic design method devised by SUH (1990) Use information axiom = weighting system Those variables that best fit user requirements Conflict resolution

Separation of need into domains and levels Structured approach - clarification of positions

Do not establish priorities Include of the largest number of requirements Inclusion gives priority to user needs as a whole

If – Then

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Example Based on C. Alexander

Hierarchical Level FR 1: Design of homes that help in the development of a local

community. DP 1: Design based on local social and cultural habits.

Decomposition of FR1 FR 1.1: Provide a place where people share the same way of

life and reinforce the group feeling. DP 1.1: Create inward focussed residential cells, separated by

open land or community facilities.

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Example

• DP 1.1: • Create inward focussed

residential cells, separated by open land or community facilities.

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Example

FR 1.1.1: Allow for fundamental personality characteristics as: introvert / extrovert (or privacy and community loving)

DP 1.1.1: Divide the residential cells in secluded and busy areas, thus houses will have different degrees of exposure to pedestrian circulation and public area activities.

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Example

• FR 1.1.1.1: Guarantee access to fresh food.

• DP 1.1.1.1: Design a central market for the housing project.

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Example:

IF: Guarantee access to pre-school education.

Then: Distribute small kindergartens with direct pedestrian access in the residential cell.

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Example

• FR 1.1.1.1.1: Guarantee access to the market on foot from all houses in the residential cell.

• DP 1.1.1.1.1: Positions the market on a central traffic artery with direct access to pedestrian walks.

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Example

• FR 1.1.1.1.2: Guarantee car access for delivery.

• DP 1.1.1.1.2: Locate market on major traffic artery.

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Example

• FR 1.1.1.2: Guarantee access to community facilities at night.

• DP 1.1.1.2: Create “Evening Centers” containing restaurants, bars, cinemas, ice cream parlors, police station, gas station, bus stop (give people pleasant places to go at night).

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Example

• FR 1.1.1.2.1: Guarantee that people feel safe.

• DP 1.1.1.2.1: Group at least 6 activity facilities together (people feel safe in large groups).

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Example

– FR 1.1.1.4.1:– Provide visibility of pre-school

activities.

– DP 1.1.1.4.1: – Sink the play and outdoor activity

areas of the kindergarten in relation to the pedestrian path so that passerbys can observe children an children can be safely supervised.

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Example

FR 1.1.4: Give people the opportunity to stroll along community facilities and in parks.

DP 1.1.4: Divide car traffic from pedestrian walks. Create a public walk system never more 50m from public and community facilities or 100m from any house.

FR 1.1.4.1: Place activities evenly to create public life.

DP 1.1.4.1: Along the pedestrian walk create small activity pockets by enlarging the walk as an open space. Place shops and community facilities on these pockets.

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Discussion

Axiomatic Method not seen as exclusive method checklists multi-criteria optimization

Methodological approach: structured inclusion of qualitative information act of externalization - enriches the process logical procedure adds expedience structured thinking may lead to more creative thought process documentation - transparency avoid subjectivity - important with participation of users information dissemination - avoids conflict users needs always include some subjectivity

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Final Remarks

Attempt to create a housing design evaluation method: For local conditions Based on:

quality indicators local POE study structured indicators and related design elements establish measurements for indicators apply software CAD, SIG and ACCLARO for efficiency

Application of Design Methods

Inclusion of Design Quality Indicators

Improve Housing Projects

Avoid Repetition of Errors