Social Housing Customization in Brazil

Luisa Felix Dalla Vecchia,Nirce Saffer Medvedovski

doi:10.3390/encyclopedia1030049

Luisa Felix Dalla Vecchia, Nirce Saffer Medvedovski

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia1030049

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Journal: Encyclopedia	Publication Date: Jul 21, 2021
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Abstract

Social housing customization in Brazil refers to the current processes of development and evolution of government-funded neighborhoods for the lowest-income population. The mass production of small housing units that do not satisfy family needs instigates a self-design and self-construction process post-occupancy to customize the units. Ultimately, these changes to the units bring unintended negative consequences for the families and the city. In this context, mass customization is seen as an alternative to address some of the problems related to unit design.

Highlights

This paper shows how low-cost social housing neighborhoods are produced through government-funded programs and how these neighborhoods develop post-occupancy
There are four main stakeholders involved in the design, decisions, approval, and construction of new social housing units: the federal government, the municipal authorities, private developers, and the national bank responsible for financing, Caixa Econômica Federal (CEF)
The literature shows there are feasible avenues and sufficient technologies to apply the concept. It demonstrates the potential of mass customization to significantly improve living environments in these neighborhoods, and to maintain this quality as the neighborhoods evolve

Summary

Introduction

This paper shows how low-cost social housing neighborhoods are produced through government-funded programs and how these neighborhoods develop post-occupancy. The paper shows potential paths to maintain adequate environments in these neighborhoods as they evolve. It is based on the revision of literature including research papers, legislation, case reports and post-occupancy studies, as well as results from the authors’ previous research. The paper starts with a historic overview to provide the necessary background for the understanding of the social housing processes currently in place.

History

Production of Housing Units

Post-Occupancy Processes and Design Problems

Examples of expansions encroaching the public the Anglo development:

Findings

Conclusions