Two low income social housings: A comparative study of the environmental behaviour

This paper studies the environmental behavior of two low‐income social housings: one is located in Barcelona, Spain, and the other in Porto Alegre, Brazil. They were both built around the same time. A comparative study of the climates of each of the cities under consideration was made, pointing out the similarities and differences. The gathering of data was done through in situ measurement of the environmental characteristics of the open areas of the both low income multistorey housing and of the interior of two typical apartments. The technique of observation was also used to register the use and characteristics of the studied spaces. At the same time, the solar insulation was studied throughout the year, using the solar simulator (“heliodon”). The computer simulations were done to analyze the natural lateral lighting and the natural ventilation. Based on the environmental measurements done throughout the year and the opinion poll about the satisfaction of the user, the principles of projects and constructive characteristics, the condition of the resulting habitability, as well as the ways of using the exterior and interior spaces and the user’s opinion about their residence were analyzed. It concludes with an evaluation of the results obtained.