A Reabilitação das Ilhas do Porto: Uma análise crítica a partir da ótica das alterações climáticas

Abstract

This dissertation aims to study the potential of architecture in responding to the needs for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident and difficult to ignore. As the construction sector is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and considering the current decarbonisation targets, it becomes necessary to understand which strategies can contribute to mitigating these impacts, which affect both territories and the daily lives of populations. At the same time, it is equally essential to adapt buildings to the effects associated with increasingly extreme climate events. Climate change affects territories unevenly, with certain regions and populations being particularly vulnerable due to socioeconomic, geographical and demographic factors. The study of the rehabilitation of Porto's "Ilhas" emerges within this context, as several of these housing clusters are currently undergoing intervention processes. It therefore becomes relevant to question the strategies adopted regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as to understand how these interventions may contribute to improving the living conditions of the approximately 10,000 people who inhabit this housing typology. The need to improve living conditions and reduce social inequalities, combined with the urgency of reducing carbon emissions and promoting the decarbonisation of cities, constitutes one of the central themes of this dissertation. Considering the social and physical challenges associated with the "Ilhas", it is essential to prevent the marginalisation of these populations due to their precarious housing conditions. In this sense, the rehabilitation of these housing clusters should be developed sustainably, balancing social and ecological needs while serving as a possible reference for future urban rehabilitation interventions. The "Ilhas" simultaneously represent two central issues: social vulnerability and climate vulnerability. On the one hand, more vulnerable populations face greater difficulties in accessing adequate housing, with housing and financial precariousness increasing exposure to climate impacts. On the other hand, the physical characteristics of these dwellings themselves increase susceptibility to the risks associated with climate change. This study aims to understand, in light of current sustainability targets, how the rehabilitation of the "Ilhas" may contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, promoting greater building sustainability and improved living conditions. Thus, this dissertation draws upon real case studies currently in the final stages of rehabilitation, with the aim of understanding the strategies adopted and assessing their suitability in addressing the identified challenges. Alongside the case studies - Ilha da Rua de S. Vítor and six "ilhas" in Lomba - the dissertation also reflects on the possibility of approaching rehabilitation from a broader urban perspective, rather than focusing exclusively on the individual "Ilha".