Espaço urbano

The Sustainable development goals (SDG) aim for reducing poverty (SDG 1) and to upgrade all slums (SDG 11). The first indicator in SDG 11 describes the proportion of the urban population residing in slums. However, the currently available data is based on national estimates that follow globally varying methodologies and concepts. In this paper, a uniform approach is implemented to obtain slum population estimates in eight different cities from three continents. The approach relies on earth observation datasets on the spatial extent of the slums and one of the most accepted gridded population dataset: WorldPop. The results shed light on the distribution of population in slums around the world. Nevertheless, the question of the accuracy of these population numbers arises. Therefore, a broad range of literature data containing population counts is gathered for the cities investigated, for varying years and for different spatial scales. The literature data is compared to results obtained by the presented approach. The comparison yields a plausibility assessment for different cities, indicating varying levels of deviation. We find in all cities a clear bias in estimating the slum population - mostly underestimations -, even though some cities reveal a significantly better fit to the data. In conclusion, this study provides a methodology to systematically assess the accuracy of globally available datasets in the context of slums and thereby to highlight the large uncertainties which can empirically be observed.

Existing studies on spatial justice discuss how different aspects of spatial injustices repeatedly deprive the poor and low-income urban dwellers of access to urban amenities. According to these studies, increasing equity in the allocation of urban resources for all categories of urbanites can remedy these injustices. However, land tenure security, a pre-condition for access to urban amenities for the poor and low-income urban dwellers, is hardly addressed. This study explores the potential of spatial justice to land tenure security discourse, using a metasynthesis of the literature on both concepts. It draws upon the Brazilian experience of implementing inclusive urban (re)development framework, which aims at integrating the poor and low-income urban dwellers in the urban fabric. Land tenure security is understood from the spatial aspect of social justice, rather than its traditional economic conceptualisation. We find that the pursuit of the three forms of spatial justice (alongside the processes of urban (re)development) promotes the three elements of tenure security differently. Procedural justice is identified as the main driver of land tenure security, whose prominent features are the perceived and the de facto tenure security.

O artigo analisa os discursos e práticas acionados por diferentes candidaturas ao pleito municipal de 1996 nas cidades de Natal, Maceió e Fortaleza, articulando pontos convergentes e simbologia típica do que poderia ser nomeado de “imaginário citadino de campanha”. A hipótese desenvolvida é a de que as campanhas políticas mobilizam símbolos sociais e ideológicos que se organizam em torno da construção de uma imagem de cidade. Seja na acentuação de “sua história”, na promessa de gestão das desigualdades ou acenos à participação popular, as eleições possuem a marca dos ritos de passagem. O artigo discute a cidade como campo de investimento simbólico que se explicita na luta por domínio de espaços e na emergência de uma espécie de “linguagem” das obras e edificações urbanas, vistas como sinais de eficácia e visibilidade na conjuntura atual.

Upgrading existing social housing (SH) requires user-centred participatory processes to promote values. Comparative case studies in Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK are presented. Living Labs (LLs) were conducted for the delivery of user values and to promote an informed decision-making process. Tools and LL activities were tested to engage stakeholders in the upgrading process, support the co-creation of solutions and address social and societal challenges. The main research aims were to facilitate SH upgrading processes focusing on the delivery of value for users, achieving end-user empowerment, as well as assessing participatory decisionmaking through LLs. Research goals were achieved in each case study setting. The evaluation of specific cases informed a conceptual framework and guidelines to facilitate upgrading through LLs in varied SH landscapes.

Cities worldwide face the challenge of balancing densification and open space provision. However, few studies investigate how urban morphology influences that balance across different cities and continents. We identified eight urban morphological types characterizing high-density residential areas in São Paulo, Brasília (Brazil), and Berlin (Germany) and assessed those morphologies using seven indicators: population density, housing density, Floor Space Index (FSI), Ground Space Index (GSI), average building height, Open-Space Ratio (OSR), and average number of people per built area. Our findings from the Brazilian cities showed that intense verticalization does not automatically ensure open space and high density. Vertical morphologies showed the highest FSI values but not the highest housing densities, and had low to moderate OSR values, comparatively. Three morphologies found in Berlin (Contemporary, Half-Open and Edge) balanced housing density and OSR best (127–147 dwellings/ha, 0.5 to 0.8 OSR values, on average). Berlin’s Traditional type showed the best balance between FSI, GSI, average building height and OSR, with buildings ranging from 1 to 9 storeys. It also achieved the highest housing densities (188 dwellings/ha, on average), but at a cost of OSR. Those findings suggest that a compact city model with perimetral blocks (Half, Edge and Traditional types) could provide an optimum use of urban space, if open space provision is properly considered. We further discuss the advantages and implications of block-based urban planning and design (traditional in Berlin and other European cities) in contrast to plot-based (often observed in Latin American cities).

Este trabalho analisa os limites e possibilidades concretas relacionados com práticas alternativas geralmente adotadas pelas organizações que emergem no bojo de movimentos sociais.

Primeiramente, discute-se, no plano teórico, problemas que a própria formação de associações burocraticamente organizadas pode acarretar para os KíSUs. A seguir, apresenta-se as características do modelo alternativo de organização “democrático-coletivista”, baseada na informalidade, no consenso e em uma divisão de trabalhos ad hoc e minima.

As dificuldades associadas a ambos os tipos de organização são consideradas a partir de experiências ocorridas no movimento de bairros de Fortaleza. Esta análise evidencia os dilemas suscitados, de um lado, pela demanda por menor formalização e centralismo e, de outro, pela necessidade de procedimentos explícitos para dirimir conflitos e avaliar a legitimidade e representatividade de grupos que competem pelo controle de uma associação ou movimento.

Finalmente, apresenta-se um modelo que pode ser a única salda efetiva para o dilema “organização versus participação direta”. Esse modelo, fundamentado nas idéias utópicas de Habermas e Lechner, preconiza a busca por um consenso baseado em um processo onde todos os participantes se reconheçam mutuamente como sujeitos da vida coletiva, não havendo lugar para a manipulação e o autoritarismo.

This paper presents a study on quality of life and sustainability indicators relating to site-planning parameters for low income public housing projects in the region of Campinas, Brazil. The study is based on a post-occupancy-evaluation (POE), conducted in five housing developments. Most of these housing projects are based on a repetitive model and are devoid of urban infrastructure. Users act on their own in providing for some elements considered necessary to create an identity and community spirit. Results show that the population relates quality of life to economic factors and sustainability is associated to reduce utility bills. Houses are preferred to apartments and satisfaction with the present housing conditions is high, despite low feelings of security in the neighbourhood. This work is part of a broader study, which aims to develop design evaluation tools. Most sensitive quality of life and sustainability indicators related to site-planning should permeate these tools and establish design guidelines. The inclusion of a large number of qualitative design issues into the decision-making process and the questioning of existing standardized solutions are seen as essential means to increase local housing quality.

In the context of the complexities related to the expansion of the planet's urban areas and sustainability, the aim of this article is to analyze the Muepo/Riortas Project, an initiative developed between 1989 and 1996 by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) in partnership with the Brazilian National Agricultural Society (SNA) and Rio de Janeiro's Superintendency for the Environment. After conducting interviews with the coordinators and community leaders involved and analyzing technical reports produced by Rio's City Hall and PUC-Rio, the project's main lines of action were identified as the following: the political issues, sustainable soil productivity, range of vegetable species and economic viability of community allotments. The project addressed fundamental issues, such as the need for planning tools in order to guarantee the continuous production of a range of vegetable species over time and to maintain and expand the productive capacity of the soil through organic cultivation methods. The number of allotments established by the project was much lower than the 15 that were planned. Two units were opened during the period analyzed: the Allotment School and the Santa Cruz Community Allotment. Production at the Allotment School, located at the Wenceslau Bello School of Horticulture, involved the weekly harvest and sale of 250x2.5 kg vegetable bags for two years running. This was enough to guarantee the allotment's economic sustainability. The Santa Cruz Community Allotment, however, did not manage to achieve economic viability over the period analyzed. Technical issues associated with the planning and management of the soil were addressed well, but empowerment mechanisms and community involvement proved to be weak during the installation and maintenance of the allotment. In summary, the Muepo/Riortas Project has established new a paradigm for urban community allotments and should form the basis for any future multidisciplinary research seeking integrated solutions for the creation of more sustainable cities.

The replacement of fossil fuels by clean energy sources has emerged as a focus for those concerned with the creation of a less polluted urban environment. In this context, Brazil's use of ethanol as a vehicle fuel is unique, especially considering the country's successful adoption of flex-fuel technology first introduced in 2003. Currently, most of the fleet of vehicles circulating in Brazilian cities can use ethanol. The effect of this alternative fuel on the Brazilian urban environment is the focus of this study. In our study, the relationship between Brazil's fleet of flex-fuel vehicles and local CO2 equivalent emissions was investigated using parametric and semiparametric analysis based on modified Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) equations. The analyses employed an annual set of state-level panel data for the period from 1998 through 2013. Both analyses show that the Brazilian introduction of flex-fuel vehicles in 2003 contributed to a marginal reduction of passenger car CO2 emissions by 2013. Moreover, results also indicate that (1) there is evidence that flex-fuel vehicles can be a component in the generation of an EKC; and (2) there is a negative relationship between the area under sugarcane cultivation and CO2 emissions due to carbon sequestration. These results indicate that the substitution of ethanol for gasoline through the use of flex-fuel technology leads to fewer total greenhouse gas emissions, considering that greenhouse gas emissions from ethanol combustion and ethanol processing are outweighed by their sequestration during sugarcane growth in rural areas.

Innovations in Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) can better connect circular economy (CE) and climate change (CC) since they have many trade-offs, especially in developing countries. Studies report the main barriers to innovation in MSWM that constrain a more circular economy (CE) and climate responses, but little is known about possible paths for innovation. Thus, this article aims to identify the main enablers of innovations in MSWM. Four municipalities in Brazil were selected because they presented highly innovative actions in the MSWM that reduced trade-offs between CE and CC. Based on an analysis of the economic, environmental, and operational performance of the four MSWM, we found reductions in Greenhouse Gases (GHG - CO2eq per inhabitant) of up to 90% and lower waste management costs per inhabitant compared to the national average. Four main enablers made the innovations possible to accelerate the transitions to a more circular and low-carbon economy in municipalities: local capacity, intergovernmental collaboration, MSWM with local partners, and environmental education that promotes social participation. This research contributed to developing a method to identify enablers at various system levels and propose technological approaches and practices that enable innovation in MSW management. Such measures can serve as a subsidy for circular disruption and as a basis for intervention in MSWM, especially in developing countries.