Edificio Rua Solon 934
Definition Cortiço (Prof. Maria Ruth):
- squatted
- several families / units
- shared sanitary rooms
Squatters of Galpão Conde São Joaquim 140 working as clothing street vendors
Registration of squatters in community center
Self-organization and the ability of political mobilization of squatters is one of the key factors in the formalization and integration of informal settlements. Funny enough architecture in this regard (the spatial arrangement of the unit) seems almost insignificant. But an architect may function as an external advisor to help self-empowerment.
We visited the Edificio Rua Solon 934 with Prof. Maria Ruth, an unfinished appartment building that was squatted in the 70s. With the advice and contact of Maria Ruth and the consideration of professionals for a bottom-up embellishment process this building changed from a precarious high density slumlike highrise to an acceptable, cleaner and hygienic living environment for fourty families. The formal appropriation of the building is still pending juristicially, but thanks to the extensive public exposure and a 'best practice' award at the 'Urban Age' conference in December 2008 the political pressure for integration is rising.
This self-organization process is currently being initiated by some of the inhabitants at Conde São Joaquim. Partly forced through the authority, a registration of inhabitants is taking place. This might be a first step in direction of legal appropriation, but it might also fail. The municipality has other plans for this specific area.
What could be the role of the architect within this multidimensional political chessboard be? Do architects necessarily have to act more like political players confining themselves to an advisory role? It seems that these bottom-up movements and the organic growth or do-it-yourself transformation of places can deal with basic human needs in a more efficient, more flexible and especially in a more agreeable way than any planned unit. If the organic growth and transformation as a spatial process can be understood, then it might be influenced. This spatial understanding could contribute to the political game, redefining the architect as a proactive player instead of just a mediating figure.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Process vs. Space
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Philippe do you have more information about the self organization process of this specific case? Also have you any information of regularized cortiço? What are the consequences (displacement of the poor, service charges, community erosion...?)
ReplyDeleteWithin your project besides focusing on documenting the status quo will you also present a vision of improving the situation of cortiços?
We could access more information provided by maria ruth. the de-densification certainly displaced a lot of persons, but no specific information on that.
ReplyDeleteMy personal opinion for the improvement of cortiços is improving the infrastructure and making them more secure. I think of a spatial approach for a more efficient organization of the available space in three dimensions where light, ventilation and hygiene are improved, but the social network and the density per area (which in part accounts for the low price) can be preserved. I would like to understand the relation between density - price per square meter and the social class (low-low, middle-low or high-low) inhabiting the units. In my opinion it should be possible to provide living space for the low-low class within the center sao paolo. This would give them the opportunity to find work or work as street vendors and improve their social situation.
If we learn from the self-organization and add our three dimensional spatial understanding, more livable high density squat settlements might emerge.