Environmental Urban Design for Central Urban Areas in Sao Paulo, Brazil

(ongoing project)

“New Methods in Urban Simulation” at ETH ZurichNovember 2008

Joana Carla Soares Goncalves, Denise Duarte,Leonardo Marques Monteiro (presenter)

LABAUT/FAUUSPLaboratory of Environmental and Energy Studies

Department of TechnologyThe Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of The University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

THE CONTEXT and the need for re-distribution and re-design of the city density

Neighbourhoods to be densified in Sao Paulo city centre

PROJECT AIMScreating sustainable urban spaces in the city centre of Sao Paulo

• Increase population density for urban regeneration within the limits of environmental criteria

• Improve environmental quality of the built space

• Develop a design methodology for environmental urban design

• Achieve urban design proposals for socio-economic benefits

Sao Paulo: a city of contrasts and opportunities

DESIGN PRECEDENTSBarra Funda: The New Neighbourhood (2004)

AREAS OF INTERVENTIONLuz and Barra Funda

The two areas of intervention: Barra Funda (top) and Luz (bottom) - approximately 4 Km apart

Consolidated urban area x Empty brown field

LUZ

Consolidated areaarea of intervention = 12 hectaresplot ratio = 0,81population density = approximately 140 people/hanew density target = 1.000 people/hectare(source: PMSP, 2000)

BARRA FUNDABrownfieldarea of intervention = 72 hectareplot ratio = 0,65population density = 21people/hanew density target = 1.000 people/hectare

density x environmental variables:

• solar access and daylight availability

• air quality (green areas and air flow)

• water management (rain water collection/soil porosity)

• energy (efficient consumption and generation)

Design questionwhat is environmental quality?

DESIGN PROCESS

200 m1000 25 50

R. Washington

R. dos Andradas

R. Mauá

R. do Triunfo

R. dos P

rotestantes

R. G

enera

l Co

uto

Ma

ga

lhã

es

R. G

en. Couto M

agalhães

Av.

C

aspe

r

Líbe

ro

Julio Prestes Station

Sala São Paulo Concert H

all

DOPSMuseum

Music School

Tom Jobim

Praça

Julio Prestes

Lgo General

Osório

R.

G

eneral

O

sório

R. Mauá

R. dos Andradas

Al. Cleveland

Vdt

o. C

outo

de

Mag

alhã

es

R. Santa Efigênia

R.

dos

G

usmões

R.

Vitó

ria

R. S

anta Efigênia

Praça

Princesa

Isabel

Old B

us Station

(Currently Popular M

all)Fire

Station

Av.

Duque

de

C

axias

R. Piracicaba

Lgo Coração

de Jesus

Al. Dino Bueno

R. Piracicaba

R.

Helvé

tia

R.

H

elvétia

Av. Rio B

ranco

R.

General

R.

d

os

Gusm

ões

OsórioAv.

Duque

de

Caxia

s

R. G

uaianazes

R. G

uaianazes

R. C

onselheiro Nébias

Av. Rio Branco

LUZURBAN FORM

SITE CONDITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Shading analysis – summer solstice

shadow analysis summer solstice

9.00 15.00

9.00 15.00

Shading analysis – winter solstice

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Shading analysis – summer solstice

shadow analysis summer solstice

9.00 15.00

Shading analysis – winter solstice

shadow analysis summer solstice

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

9.00 15.00

Shading analysis – winter solstice

shadow analysis summer solstice

THE SLAB BLOCK

slab buildingsLANDSCAPE DESIGN

environmentshadow analysis winter solstice

SOLAR ACCESS AND DAYLIGHT AVAILABILITY

BUILDING FORMTHE PERIMETER BLOCK

BARRA FUNDASITE CONDITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

URBAN FORMThe Perimeter Block

The Tower Block

THOUGHTS AND FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

•Density targets drive environmental performance in consolidated urban areas x environmental targets drive density in open areas (empty brownfields)

•Need to prioritise environmental criteria

•Be critical about the environmental assessments

•Define local environmental performance criteria

•Introduce the concept of the public and the open space and “urbanscape” early on

•Approach the environment as a cultural force

FUTURE STEPS

The Urban Age Project (Sao Paulo 2008)(LUZ: Area of special public interest)

•26 hectares•2.500 people/hectare•40% social housing + 60% middle class•Positive impact on public transportation•Energy generation: 70% of demand•Water harvesting: 70% of demand•Landscape: environmental and cultural force•Inviting outdoor spaces•Environmentally responsive architecture•Lively neighbourhood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA the built form

Urban noise

LandscapeCulture and

environment

“Urbanscape” coherent to the

local identity

URBAN CRITERIA

Air quality(pollution

dispersion)

Water management

Energy Generation

(water heating)

Outdoor comfort

Universal design for

accessibility

Solar accessand Daylight availability

Ground condition

Pedestrians activities

THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT HIGH-DENSITY URBAN BLOCKS

Perimeter Block Tower block

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Graduate students from FAUUSP: Alessandra PrataAnarrira BuoroAndrea BazarianAnna Christina MianaCarolina LeiteÉrica UmakoshiMônica MarcondesNorberto Moura Paula ShinzatoRafael BrandãoLuciana SchwandnerTatiana SouzaProfessor Koen Stemeers from the Martin Centre, University of CambridgeProfessor Susannah Hagan from the University of East London FAPESP, The State of Sao Paulo