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intervention strategies for renovation of social housing estates

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Conclusions and recommendations. Chapter 9<br />

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />

In Chapter 8 a matrix <strong>of</strong> physical measures <strong>for</strong> <strong>renovation</strong> aiming at supporting decision<br />

making is presented. Each <strong>of</strong> the 48 solutions is provided with its respective strengths and<br />

weaknesses in terms <strong>of</strong> physical aspects, appearance, <strong>social</strong> aspects and feasibility. All<br />

strengths and weaknesses can not be listed and commented here, there<strong>for</strong>e are only<br />

reported general observations.<br />

Housing differentiation<br />

Major strengths <strong>of</strong> trans<strong>for</strong>mations to improve the existing <strong>housing</strong> supply can be<br />

the following. Dwellings become af<strong>for</strong>dable <strong>for</strong> wider groups (size, age and income<br />

<strong>of</strong> households) and free choice possibilities are extended (‘<strong>housing</strong> career’).<br />

Shifting to homeownership gives a short term financial return <strong>for</strong> the <strong>housing</strong><br />

association (if dwellings are sold at market price) and can reduce <strong>social</strong> problems<br />

(people care more about private than rented goods. But there is no no scientific<br />

evidence to substantiate this). Unused spaces within the block can be used <strong>for</strong><br />

trans<strong>for</strong>mation leading to less uncontrolled spaces and less expenses <strong>for</strong><br />

maintenance. Higher livability and more <strong>social</strong> safety can be obtained when the<br />

relationship <strong>of</strong> the building with its surroundings is improved (new dwellings at the<br />

ground floor, new passageways, etc.<br />

Weaknesses can be: mixing different groups is difficult (could be limited to some<br />

segments <strong>of</strong> the <strong>social</strong> structure) and lack <strong>of</strong> privacy or higher criminality figures<br />

(thefts) might derive when using the ground floor, especially to place <strong>housing</strong>.<br />

Limitations <strong>for</strong> feasibility can be summarized as local regulations, structural<br />

stability <strong>of</strong> the block (and technology), available space (like height <strong>of</strong> ceilings),<br />

need <strong>for</strong> further facilities (if “optoppen: elevators might be required) and removal<br />

<strong>of</strong> tenants during the works.<br />

Accessibility<br />

The existing accessibility system, thus the functional quality <strong>of</strong> the entire building,<br />

can be improved by: restyling and/or adding new galleries, elevators (and<br />

staircases) and further entrances (Chapter 4 and 5).<br />

These changes make also dwellings available <strong>for</strong> wider groups (like elderly,<br />

disabled and families with kids). By using specific solutions, trans<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> the<br />

accessibility can not only improve the livability but also improve the attractiveness<br />

and the recognizability <strong>of</strong> the building (see the matrix in Chapter 8).<br />

For trans<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> accessibility the limitations listed above are valid.<br />

Non-residential functions<br />

Most common non-residential functions added to the existing buildings presented in<br />

the study are education, <strong>social</strong> services, small commercial business and medical<br />

care. They can: improve the livability <strong>of</strong> the block and its surroundings (better<br />

relationship <strong>of</strong> the residents with facilities <strong>of</strong> their building.), attract people <strong>for</strong>m<br />

other neighbourhoods and decrease sense <strong>of</strong> anonymity (Chapter 4. tab. 4).<br />

A weakness is that <strong>social</strong> problems might emerge, due to the fact that those<br />

functions mostly are closed at night.<br />

Feasibility might be restricted by: location and bad reputation <strong>of</strong> the area,<br />

competition with other neighbourhoods. This is also true <strong>for</strong> the two previous<br />

issues.<br />

Energy efficiency<br />

General strengths <strong>of</strong> implementing measures directed to energy efficiency can be<br />

that they leave more money <strong>for</strong> the residents <strong>for</strong> living expenses, thanks to lower<br />

energy bills. These measures also can improve the societal awareness <strong>of</strong> the<br />

residents (they are also citizens).<br />

Major weaknesses related to the implementation <strong>of</strong> energy efficiency measures are<br />

that they are not yet compulsory, require higher investments but constitute a<br />

financial return only <strong>for</strong> the residents. They are usually not integrated with other<br />

solutions (like heat pumps, heat power, central systems and biogas) and <strong>of</strong>ten do<br />

not treat aspects related to inner com<strong>for</strong>t (natural ventilation, overheating, health,<br />

condensation, cold bridges and noise due to air circulation).<br />

Appearance<br />

Strengths <strong>of</strong> adopting those measures aiming at improving the ‘look’ <strong>of</strong> the building<br />

can be: improvement <strong>of</strong> its recognizability thus the orientation within the<br />

7. I<br />

RESEARCH<br />

QUESTION 3

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