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intervention strategies for renovation of social housing estates

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Laurentino38. Example <strong>of</strong> deprived <strong>social</strong> <strong>housing</strong> <strong>estates</strong> in Rome. Chapter 7<br />

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Design <strong>of</strong> dwellings was strongly driven by technology. Location and size <strong>of</strong> the rooms was<br />

<strong>of</strong>ten a mere result <strong>of</strong> a combination <strong>of</strong> standard modules. This is a conceptual mistake. Even<br />

if the final product is quite satisfying, a problem is future adaptability <strong>of</strong> dwellings.<br />

It worth mentioning similarity in the comments done by the respective pr<strong>of</strong>essionals about<br />

both Bijlmermeer and Laurentino38. Concerning the Bijlmermeer, in fact, Wassenberg<br />

concluded that ‘most <strong>of</strong> the planners’ ideals changed into disadvantages’ (Wassenberg,<br />

2007). Barucci came to a similar conclusion speaking about Laurentino38, ‘the best strengths<br />

<strong>of</strong> yesterday are the worst <strong>of</strong> today’. People living in Laurentino38, are still criticizing those<br />

aspects the designers thought <strong>of</strong> as high standards <strong>for</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> living.<br />

WEAKNESS AND STRENGHTS ON BUILDING AND DWELLING LEVEL<br />

To address physical quality <strong>of</strong> buildings and dwellings (functional and technical) in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

from literature (Housing statistics in the EU, 2004), results <strong>of</strong> questionnaires send to<br />

employers <strong>of</strong> ATER, the group leader <strong>of</strong> the building department <strong>of</strong> Laurentino38 Pietro<br />

Barucci and residents are here combined. All the major problems were grouped into<br />

functional, technical and <strong>social</strong> quality.<br />

Functional quality<br />

Floor plan. Dwellings in Laurentino38 are very spacious. Of the 2964 dwellings built by ex-<br />

IACP, the average floor area is 93,42m2 (Barucci et al., 1979). This is above the average<br />

floor size <strong>of</strong> Italian dwellings in 1991, being 90.3m2 (Housing statistics in the EU, 2004). The<br />

same applies to the size <strong>of</strong> the average dwelling in the Bijlmermeer with 41% to 49% <strong>of</strong><br />

dwellings have floor sizes <strong>of</strong> more 80m2 (Aalbers, et al., 2003).<br />

This floor size in Laurentino38 was possible thanks to the national standards <strong>for</strong> <strong>social</strong><br />

<strong>housing</strong> fixed in the ‘60s. By means <strong>of</strong> strict norms based on the requirements at that time,<br />

they controlled minimum quality <strong>of</strong> living, design and construction. For instance, dwelling<br />

size, number <strong>of</strong> rooms, windows surface and projections were controlled. Number <strong>of</strong> rooms<br />

varies from 1 to 4. The bigger dwelling is 112 m 2 (see section 7.1.1).<br />

The Italian family nuclei changed in the last years, thus floor size and plan need to be<br />

adapted to current requirements. The following table describes the structure <strong>of</strong> Italian family<br />

nuclei living in <strong>social</strong> <strong>housing</strong> in 1992. In the early ‘90s, singleness was already a problem.<br />

Families composed by one person were more than 50% (mostly elderly) 20 . This shows the<br />

need <strong>for</strong> adaptation the current <strong>housing</strong> demand. Since most <strong>of</strong> the dwellings in Laurentino<br />

are very spacious, the choice <strong>of</strong> dividing some <strong>of</strong> the units might be considered. This would<br />

increase the supply in terms <strong>of</strong> number <strong>of</strong> available dwellings and suitable types.<br />

Despite constraints due to the tunnel, the average floor plan is well organized and sufficiently<br />

lighted. In particular, according to Barucci, the quality <strong>of</strong> the in-line block is higher thanks to<br />

the double orientation and the clear distinction <strong>of</strong> night and day rooms. Floor plans <strong>of</strong> the<br />

towers are less functional, because the concentration <strong>of</strong> night rooms on the borders<br />

subtracts daylight from kitchen, living rooms and toilet. The kitchen, living rooms and toilets<br />

are centered at the inner core <strong>of</strong> the block. Consequently, these rooms are colder during<br />

winter. Residents are aware <strong>of</strong> the functional quality <strong>of</strong> their dwellings.<br />

Equipments. Based on direct inspections within one dwelling in the in-line block and four in<br />

the tower and observation <strong>of</strong> floor plans, technical equipments might be considered<br />

sufficient. All dwellings have at least one spacious bathroom, with shower or bath (<strong>of</strong>ten<br />

both), a kitchen and in many cases more than one loggia.<br />

Installations. Condition <strong>of</strong> technical installations is rather low. They should be substituted,<br />

especially the water and gas system. To be able to intervene in case <strong>of</strong> further damages to<br />

the pipes, people <strong>of</strong>ten do not definitively fix the walls.<br />

View. A feature worth to be mentioned is the view on the surroundings. This particularly<br />

applies to dwellings in the towers where it is possible to see the city. Residents do really<br />

appreciate this view.<br />

20 AA.VV. (1992) Trasfromazioni <strong>social</strong>i e demografiche e nuove esigienze abitative<br />

16. G<br />

FLOOR PLAN<br />

EQUIPMENTS<br />

INSTALLATIONS<br />

VIEW

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