Construir a cidade informal. Metodologias de intervenção no Global South

Abstract

This thesis main objective is to study the phenomena related to informal city in the Global South. The aim is to formulate ideas for the development of a methodology that solves the problems related with slums. The theories that gave origin to the construction of conventional public housing, particularly during the first half of the twentieth century, are questioned as they worsened their inhabitants' life conditions. The fundamental work of two architects - John Turner and John Habraken were used as basis for this study, working as models for the replacement of the inhabitant's decision-making power and participation. Their work leads to the reevaluation of the individual essential needs as inhabitant, and also the individual cultural, social and economic context and his/her community and familiar network. All these factors must be considered since they work as modifying factors to the built projects. Three case studies were also analysed - the Experimental Housing Project, in Lima, Peru; the rehabilitation project of Quinta Monroy, in Iquique, Chile; and the Incremental Housing Project, in Belapur, Nova Mumbai, India. Through its analysis we intend to understand the assumptions that led to the implementation and construction of the project as well as the final results and consequences of these approaches. The financial constraints that are felt in the Global South countries demand flexibility as a fundamental characteristic of the implemented methodologies. Combining all the authors' work, we intend to prove that incremental models associated with participative processes can promote contruction and development of houses that evolve according to their inhabitants' economic condition. It is also discussed the development of a proposal for redefinition and redistribution of the action levels of each participant as well as the necessity to clarify the architect's role in the process.