Research theme: Lower Carbon Community Living in Cross Cultural Context I am Nina Sharp studying City and Regional Planning (MPlan) at Oxford Brookes University. I have just completed my third year and moving into my final year of which my specialism will be Urban Design. I have excelled in a number of modules including Urban Design, Regional Planning, Strategic Planning, Transport and Society and Spatial Planning. I am one of five student members (with Dr. Laura Novo De Azevedo) who formed BrookesBUDS in January 2012. From 19th May until 5th June 2013 the BUDS group worked in partnership with three Universities in Brazil in the cities of Florianópolis, Porto Alegre and Pelotas to develop design workshops and research. There was also an opportunity for personal development on individual research projects in Rio De Janeiro.
Figure 1; Nina presenting within a workshop. Source, Author.
As part of the presentation that contributed to the general theme of the workshops — Design Coding in Urban Design—I contributed with a talk on the topic of coding for sustainability. I used illustrated case studies and examples from an undergraduate module (on following page) including the third year dissertation equivalent Implementation Project. The audience varied in experience with the subject (undergraduates, postgraduates and lecturers), age and level of English, although all had a interest and had studied Architecture and Urbanism. For this reason, it was important for the slides to be applicable for the entire audience and this was achieved through a predominance of visuals. I also lead my own group within the workshop (Figure 1) to develop design coding for the three case studies (Ponta do leal, Florianópolis; Village Center, Pelotas and Vila Chocolatão, Porto Alegre). The method used for developing site specific coding included 1) brainstorming for the development of a vision for the areas; 2) SWOT analysis of the sites; 3) a list of design objectives needed to achieve the vision which would invariably relate to urban design qualities and 4) the use of the questions ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ to help developing a design code for the areas. I personally felt that BUDS was a great opportunity to experience live case studies in a cross cultural context. The nature of the trip enabled my knowledge to be tested and provide solutions to problems in real life scenarios (Figure 2). It gave me the chance to perform at the highest standards whilst promoting my ability to work in groups, collectively develop frameworks and negotiate solutions effectively. This study trip also enabled me to gain information on a very different planning system to that of the UK and see the impacts that it had, both positively and negatively. I managed to achieve this through a successful bid for a research scholarship from Santander Universities as well as sponsorship from Oxford Brookes Planning Department and Taylor Woodrow International and fund raising through cake sales at the University. From the work that I have completed at undergraduate level (particularly the Implementation Project) I developed a framework that was used as the main form of assessment of the case studies to illustrate findings related to my research topic. This gave me an understanding of the performance of the communities within the theme of Low(er) Carbon Community Living. The most interesting elements found significantly contributing to reduced energy expenditure within a community included proximity to services and access, quality of services present, quality of built form and community value. These four topics were assessed where applicable and then commented upon their progression towards a lower carbon community living.
Figure 2; Research and delivery. Source, Author.
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Presentation Figure 3 (taken from the presentation) illustrates the importance of incorporating a building height restriction within a development to ensure that buildings get equal lighting, but also have the potential to be modified in the future to be more sustainable and improve the overall building development and performance. This theme directly followed onto building orientation and roof gradients and the importance that planners have codifying these elements to get optimal performance from a building, thus making the development more sustainable. Figure 4 highlights that it is possible to enforce carbon reducing measures within designing without compromising the overall aesthetics of the built environment, and in fact one building is 25% more efficient than the other through coding on the same estate in the UK.
Figure 3; Shadowing tall from buildings. Source, Author. Figure 4; Example of different building performances within neighbourhood. Source, Author.
Certain considerations were emphasised that were derived from the Implementation Project that can help achieve a lower carbon community or development. Providing functional spaces both inside and outside the property that can be used for work and leisure, choice of materials, natural sound insulation, building orientation, lighting and providing ‘greener’ alternatives including secure cycle parking (Figure 5).
Figure 5; Examples of energy saving measures already adopted in Brazil. Source, Author.
It was important to emphasise key considerations at the start of the workshop to then find evidence of this at the case studies, or indeed what sustainable elements would be appropriate or are currently ‘common’ within Brazil in a residential context. The framework used for assessment of the communities included the following:
Proximity to services and access. This includes but is not limited to public transport, shops, schools, recreational facilities. Ease of access to services is also be analysed.
Quality of services present. This also addresses variety, quantity and appropriateness.
Quality of built form. This analyses the typology of the built form, the overall plot including garden, appropriateness and value.
Community value. The sense of community value within the communities and the impact that is having on the community. 2
Florianópolis - Ponta De Leal Ponta Do Leal is a small fishing community located on the mainland part of the city of Florianópolis (population approximately 600,000 including suburbs) (Figure 6) . The informal settlement (Figure 7 & 8) is without basic sanitation, with a majority of the population being either fishermen and associated trades or builders.
Figure 6; Florianopolis. Source, Google Maps (2013).
Figure 7; Florianopolis. Source, Google Maps (2013).
Figure 8; Ponta De Leal. Source, Author
The Government want to create an additional motorway type infrastructure to accommodate vehicles, of which, the proposed routes runs through the current location of the community (Figure 9). A relocation plot has been suggested that is adjacent to their current location, although the accommodation type will be different and the new infrastructure proposal will be dividing the community from the sea. The proposal has been described as ‘little Dubai’ (Figure 10) within the video and illustrated below (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA0laamzz50)
Figure 10; Ponta De Leal proposed development. Source, YouTube, 2011
Figure 9; Ponta De Leal proposed development. Source, YouTube, 2011
A couple of entry level apartment blocks were visited to give context for the proposed new location (Figure 13 & 14). These were for minimum wage of 0-3 (the lowest—equivalent to approximately 0-£573 per month) with an average apartment total floor space equating to 37m2. Although on initial assessment it appears to be a vast improvement to the communities current status (Figure 11 & 12), upon analysis, it illustrates that there is the potential for deep social problems as well as community carbon performance related problems.
Figure 13 & 14; New Social Housing Option. Source, Author
Figure 11 & 12; Ponta De Leal Housing. Source, Author
Based on the framework the proposed site is assessed against the current location of the community in whether the relocation is providing lower carbon community living. 3
Florianópolis - Ponta De Leal Proximity to services and access. The community is on the edge of a grid network (refer to Figure 6) with access to public transport on the edge of the community. The access to the current site is suitable for vehicles and pedestrians. Within the settlement the access routes are narrow and could only serve as access for a bicycle or pedestrians (Figure 15). There didn't appear to be any formal shops within the community, although we did meet informal traders that sold flipflops’. As they are partially a fishing community (Figure 16), a lot of the fish gets taken to the market outside of the community. The community is off grid, and are without sewage, electricity and do not contribute to forms of land taxation. Figure 15; Ponta De Leal Housing. Source, Author
Quality of services present. The services located on the periphery of the community including a bus stop are utilied by the community. Although there was not any service within the community, the proximity to public transport and therefore the link to the market provided a direct food and trade source. Although what is considered as primary infrastructure within the UK including sewage missing, sanitation and fuel to homes. The community leader informed the group that 25% of the community have HIV and drug abuse, he expressed that as a community that they would welcome medical aid.
Quality of built form. The housing is made predominantly from timber with no standard regulation, but is Figure 16; Fishing Community. structurally sound. A lot of the housing are on stilts (Figure 18). There are renovations Source, Author occurring within the community that include new windows and draught-proofing. These renovations happen infrequently and due to high cost of materials. The concrete used in housing supports has been reinforced with steel for stability and strength. All of the houses have their own outside space which has a variety of uses including storage, laundry, recreation and workspace (Figure 17 & 19).
Community value. The community leader was invited to communicate the opinions of the residents’ regarding their current and proposed location. There is a strong sense of community in the area, and they have evolved to this common state through a central value that is work and surFigure 17; Space utilisation. Source, vival. There is a high value for fishing within the community, and they have plans to proAuthor gress this including a desire for a workshop to facilitate repairs to nets and equipment, but also a place where the women of the community can become more involved and can be employed for fishing related jobs.
Figure 18; Stilt housing. Source, Author
Figure 19; Space utilisation. Source, Author
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Florianópolis - Ponta De Leal Within the design workshop the primary concern is that the new proposed site did not have the same connection with the sea as the current site. It was apparent that development was occurring in clusters that aren't sustainable both socially or environmentally. The aim was to improve the housing relatively through improving the housing quality whilst providing a permeable and legible site. This would enhance the existing community character and provide a place that can be utilised by the general public as well as the residents’. Barton et al. (2010:149) states that planning for access routes particularly for transport can promote vitality within a community.
Our proposal was that instead of the motorway running through the community and causing a divide, that a bridge could be incorporated into the infrastructure that elevated the road over the communities current location. The layout of the community would follow the same grid system that is apparent on the connecting block to increase permeability and legibility. Access to and through the site was particularly important to maintain the pedestrian movements and discourage vehicles through priority width access.
The design actions were derived Bentley et al. (1985) Responsive Environments using the Morphological layers to achieve good urban design qualities.. One of the topical debates within the workshops was the small dark paths that connect the community and whether there should be a code for building heights or setbacks to enable natural light on public rights of way. This I found particularly interesting because building orientation and heights can have a dramatic effect upon the built environment, particularly from an energy and resource stance. It is important to achieve a high density to eliminate excessive sprawl and maintain green space, but without compromising urban form. Literature by Jan Gehl (2010) confirms that social interaction from five storeys and above is lost, and for this reason as well as a concern for natural light it is important to maintain the majority/all buildings less than five storeys.
The proximity to public transport has proved in this case to be a valuable asset for the community. Without this reliance of vehicles, particularly cars the outside space has been utilised in different ways other than a parking bay. Outside space has a variety of uses and without the incorporation of a balcony or a shared garden activities such as laundry drying and outside workspace will be detrimental to their standards of living. The apartments are of better built quality in comparison to their current status, although there is not an opportunity for urban betterment or modification from the residents’.
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Village Center—Pelotas Pelotas is a small city with a population of approximately 300,000. This population can increase by an extra 20,000 during semester with students from two universities. The area of interest for the workshop was a gated community block within central Pelotas (Figure 20). There is regulated access in and out of the community, which has created two effects on the larger community. The residents’ within feel safe and welcome the gates as security from the crime and unknown outside of the gates. The other effect is that as there are gates and no natural surveillance onto public space including the street is has created a place where crime can happen. Gated communities are becoming increasingly popular despite causing massive social and economic problems. Jan Gehl (2010) describes that the use of gates, bars and signs within a community are ‘fear’ signals, and through the ground floor giving a harsh appearance, it presents the scenario of being unsafe. A situation can quickly develop where the population are reluctant to use this space through fear, so inevitably people fear the space, which means that the space is not used through fear. The workshop investigated how a sense of fear and no public connection can be solved and what measures can be used to deter crime whilst providing good urban places. A common problem that we learnt is that the developer is profit driven, the council wants safe places for residents’ and the residents’ determine where and how they live and dictate the market, thus encouraging the development of gated type communities and placing them high in demand in the property market.
Figure 20; Overall location of case study, Pelotas. Source, Google Maps (2013)
The workshops followed the theme of qualifying permeable space that is connectable through different modes of transportation. Delivering a permeable solution was one element of the proposal, but introducing services would also encourage these routes to be used and increase the footfall through the site. Enticing people from the fringe of the site to use such services would also aid in crime reduction as there would be an increase in natural surveillance and less opportunity for crime to occur. There was a concern that people would invade personal and private spaces and the residents’ would feel intimidated. Through using adequate vegetation, street furniture and paving to guide the population to public and private space there would be less need for harsh high wall and fences. Establishing who has priority and access to private and public spaces would help to clarify spaces and their uses. One of the problems directly outside of the community was an open sewage line that could not be crossed, only walked round. This limited the amount of pedestrians at certain points along the street; and often where crime occurred. Within the proposal it incorporated small bridges to aid permeability and also attempt to reduce crime.
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Vila Chocolatão—Porto Alegre The city of Porto Alegre is in excess of 1,500,000, the tenth largest city in Brazil. The workshop was centred around a completed social inclusion project that commenced seven years ago. The Chocolatão community was first created informally during the 1980’s on land that was owned by the government (Figure 21). The residents’ earned a living through collecting recyclables from the city. The government wanted to use this land for another civic building which initiated the relocation project. The total relocation population was approximately 200 families (600 people). Within the community there were high levels of drug related crimes due to the proximity to ‘business’ (drugs buying population). Children were not attending school but working on the streets and a large part of the community were unskilled. Figure 22 illustrates the distance between original and new location (around 25 minute drive from previous location). Although the community is now segregated from the city, residents suggested that the crime associated ‘jobs’ were left in the city centre. The project also included development programmes that aimed to have all children in school and not working, providing a technology centre and healthcare.
Figure 21; Captions of Chocolatão before relocation. Source, Global Compact Cities Programme (2013)
Figure 22; Before and after locations. Source, Google Maps (2013)
Figure 23; Relocation of community. Source, Google Maps (2013)
Key Original location Relocation
In Vila Chocolatão there were problems similar to Ponta do Leal regarding lack of sanitation and the community being off grid. The new community was built by the government and although it has solved some problems and provided residents with a fixed address which is perceived as a sign for social inclusion (Figure 23), sanitation, resources and education, the community as a collective was not happy about a few issues. One problem that was discovered was the illegal selling of the properties and the residents’ moving back to slum type accommodation. The aim of the workshop was to try to understand why this relocation project is unsuccessful in some respects, and should a similar project happen again what could be addressed differently in terms of urban design principles that would see the community not want to sell and relocate back to a lower standards of living. 7
Vila Chocolatão—Porto Alegre Proximity to services and access. The community is relocated further away from the city centre, so the immediate access and convenience of public transport and large shopping stores has been reduced, although there is a bus stop immediately outside the community near the recycling centre. Because of the further location, there is a high dependency on car and private modes of transport, and this is further facilitated by the wide roads and off street parking made available. As part of the relocation project, their primary communal income was recycling of rubbish, and that has been retained with a new recycling centre located on the edge of the site. This has ensured that the community is within walking distance of centre de- Figure 24; Chocolatão primary spite the relocation. access. Source, Author Another aspect to the relocation was that if a family had a business within the previous location then this could be replicated in the new community. An excellent example of this was a family that had a small cafe that they were allowed to make their house extend to facilitate a shop to continue their business. Other services included a school, recreational area, and library. Quality of services present. The services present were utilised and have had a positive impact upon the community. The school has ensured that the children remain off of the street and have an education. The small café applied for a loan that pay for the extension which was of good build quality as well as having new and efficient appliances. The recycling centre had new technology, and the workers received training to be able to work there and run the business. Figure 25;Recycling centre. Source, Author
Quality of built form. The housing was constructed from brick or pre-fabricated blocks with rendered facades finished with a light colour that would reduce heat absorption in the summer months. The plots and buildings were arranged in the form of a perimeter block and there was a was finished that an extension to the community could follow suit and adhere to urban design principles. As part of the programme the community was not allowed to modify the exterior of the property including porches and extensions, as this was seen as defecting the face of the street by the Architect. Figure 27 illustrates that some houses have been subject to illegal alterations, of which cannot be changed. This is an excellent example of the residents’ unhappy with their property, but have no option to change this legally.
Figure 26;Chocolatão housing. Source, Author
Community value.
Following the relocation of the community the children after 7 months were all attending school (previously it was only 30%). But a lot of the residents’ were unhappy with the change and the community has experienced 40% of the population moving out since 2011. This occurred in the form of illegal selling of properties. This consequently has lead to fragmentation of the community, with the location of services contributing to this.
Figure 27; Chocolatão housing. Source, Author
Figure 28; small on site service. Source, Author
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Vila Chocolatão—Porto Alegre After the site visit we created a list of what we thought was missing within the community and what we thought could be made better in terms of quality, location and appropriateness. It was good to see that vegetation was used within the community but the magnitude of some meant that it restricted the view of the street. Although there was well defined public and private space the place lacked definition of these spaces and the public spaces were inadequately placed and collectively not forming a village centre. This has made it difficult for residents’ to use all services efficiently. If the location of these services formed a collective in a more central location it would greatly reduce the need to use the car within the community. The collective discussion led into proposals that would improve the value and integration of the street. The design codes would not change the current community, rather it would provide evidence and a possible solution that would eradicate the weaknesses of this site in future developments. Analysis included the setbacks of the dwellings and the restrictions of ’eyes on the street’ which decreased interactions possible regardless of building heights. Although the community had independent services and the recycling centre, the location and connection between these services we addressed and investigated the advantage for the residents’ of having a central location for all services. Key School Recreation ground Library Shop Recycling Centre Bus Stop Figure 29; Chocolatão services location. Source, Googlemaps; adapted by Author
Alterations to the connections of the public spaces with adequate natural surveillance through active frontages facing public spaces would possibly improve safety and increase usage. This change would also encourage the interaction of the residents and improve social integration. Incorporating townscape features including variety in building typology and the arrangements of the buildings (undulation) would give an enhanced sensory experience. (Cullen, 1961). Applying Townscape features it would qualify the definition of different spaces which has been a problem within this community. The public spaces can be used more effectively by the residents’ instead of anti -social behaviour which is a common pastime for the areas. It would also be beneficial for the residents’ to be able to contribute to their community through providing a unique frontage that promotes individuality, place and pride. Healey (2010) suggests that community value originates from people investing and complementing to their surroundings.
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Conclusions The experience that I gained from the study trip to Brazil as more value than one publication. The drive that I now have to make a difference through what I have leant in the UK is phenomenal. Regulations, policies, and application are completely different to what I am used to, but some principles that are still not used all of the time in the UK seen to be very apparent in Brazil. Perimeter blocks are crystal clear from Google Earth, but walking along the road, there is the reality of walls, fencing and razor wire. I was surprised by the lack of emerging energy technology in Brazil, I expected an energy tycoon to have taken full advantage of the subtropical climate. Regarding development, and from a designers perspective, there is the same situations and questions asked within the UK about density, location and facilities. Personal study time allowed the group to have an organised visit to a favela called Santa Marta in Rio De Janeiro. Although this was not part of the itinerary for the workshops, it gave relevance to some of the social and housing issues that are occurring within Brazil. My perception has changed of this places that have been branded as unsafe and dirty by distant observers. Also, it was interesting to understand how a marketing campaign that looked to be helping the community caused social segregation and conflict within. The painting of the favela gave the false impression of wealth within the community, as exterior finishing is only added when the entire home is complete.
Figure 30; Santa Marta Favela, Rio De Janeiro. Source, Author
This opportunity has made enabled the collection of a sufficient amount of data that will then satisfy my Masters dissertation with a working title to the effect of ‘Planning and Urban design guidelines for Social housing developments in the fast growing economy the case of Brazil’. This I have found particularly interesting following the workshops as there doesn't seem to be a standard process for social housing in Brazil.
With thanks to Santander Universities providing the opportunity to bid in a research proposal for my study I have had a successful trip. Bidding for a scholarship grant to carry out research has been a challenge in itself, quantifying why I believe that this was a good experience wasn't easy. But what is impossible to predict is my enthusiasm to want to learn more and to be a part of these workshops again. The students, lecturers, volunteers and community members have made this experience possible both in the UK and in Brazil. Back in the UK I have presented my finding to the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), provided information to Oxford Brookes, Santander and the Joint Centre for Urban Design (JCUD) webplace.
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References Barton, H., Grant, M. and Guise, R. (2010) Shaping Neighbourhoods, Second edition, Routledge, London.
Bentley, I., Alock, A., Marrain, P., McGlynn, S., Smith, G. (1985) Responsive Environments – A Manual for Designers, Architectural Press: London.
BrookesBUDS (2013) OBU Brazil Urban Design Study. Available from: http://brookesbuds.wix.com/brookesbuds Last Accessed [27/07/2013].
Cullen, G. (1961) The Concise Townscape, Architectural Press, London.
Florianopolis Santa Catarina New Bridge BR101 (2011). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=MA0laamzz50 Last Accessed [27/07/2013].
Gehl, J. (2010) Cities for People, Island Press.
Global Compact Cities Programme; Social Inclusion Project For Vila ChocolatĂŁo (2013). Available from: http:// citiesprogramme.com/cities/americas/brazil/porto-alegre/social-inclusion-project-for-vila-chocolatao Last Accessed [27/07/2013]
Healey, P. (2010) Making Better Places, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
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