Minimum housing spaces, flexibility and sustainability: a reflection on the basis of ergonomics intervention

Abstract

This article discusses the quality of internal life space in apartments of residential buildings in the northeast region of Brazil, especially the possibility to adapt environments with small areas (according to local building codes) to the needs of different arrangements of families (considering 4 members per family). The research had a gradual approach and used multimethod strategy: (a) studying the universe of residential buildings whose apartment's inner area is between 50 and 60m2 and were constructed in Natal-RN between 1998 and 2008, as well as not linked to social housing programs and occupied for more than one year; (b) selecting a building to do a Post Occupation Evaluation (POE), using walkthrough, technical observation and questionnaires; (c) choosing of two housing units to do an ergonomic intervention (based in interviews and detailed measurements). The results show the technical possibility to modify the units, but these modifications have a high (social, economic and environmental) price, because in general the space of units projected is not flexible. So, the paper concludes that this type of enterprise needs to be rethought, since part of them is (social and ecologically) unsustainable.

Breaking Down Barriers: Findings from a Literature Review on Housing for People with Disabilities in Latin America

“…In the second place is found the group with a physical disability (36%), with a strong focus on reduced mobility [ 43 , 47 , 57 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 66 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 81 , 83 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 94 , 95 ].…”

Ergo-Biopsychosocial Approach to Support the Quality of Life of Small Housing Inhabitants

“…Previous research on small vertical buildings has been conducted by taking a case study on flats in Natal, the northeast region of Brazil [3]. It took housing units ranged between 50 m2 and 60 m2 with two bedrooms.…”

“…The dramatic adaptation and regular adjustment are required to those who are living in that small housing in terms of daily activities and movements. It, potentially, leads to quality of life and living performance [3]. Due to the rapid social, economic, and environmental growth in city urban area, living and staying in a small vertical housing has been popularized.…”

2019 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM)

“…The objective of anthropometry is to ensure that a design fits to user's physical limitation and capabilities. When it fits to human's physical characteristics, then it promotes better quality of life [2].…”

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