USERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY IN LOW-INCOME SOCIAL HOUSING – THE CASE STUDY OF “RESIDENCIAL PORTO”, PELOTAS, RS

Abstract

The subject of safety in low-income social housing challenges architectural and urban planning researches when related with the study of the relationship between environment and behaviour with the following aspect: the benefits that physical and spatial solutions can bring to decrease and prevent crimes and robberies in these places. In Pelotas, the social housings built by “Programa de Arrendamento Residencial” (Residential Leasing Program) have been studied in regard to this perspective, seeking to evaluate solutions of design and insertion of safety elements. Methods of research/ Approach: The case study is “Residencial Porto”, built by Residential Leasing Program in 2004, which has blocks built in the limit of the plot creating potential insecurity situations for 12 flats on the ground floor. Through the fieldwork, where methods and techniques of Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) were applied, it is analysed data regarding residents´ perceptions of safety and solutions to increase safety. Results: Residents who live in flats that look at the public road have different perceptions of safety in comparison with the other residents; in this way there are flats on the fourth floor with fences on the windows. Contributions/Originality: This study seeks to identify and analyse residents´ perceptions of safety and safety solutions adopted after the social housing construction was concluded.