Multiscale Integral Assessment of Habitability in the Case of El Raval in Barcelona

Sara Vima-Grau, Còssima Cornadó, Pere-Joan Ravetllat and Pilar Garcia-Almirall
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Sara Vima-Grau: Architectural Technology Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—Barcelona Tech, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Còssima Cornadó: Architectural Technology Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—Barcelona Tech, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Pere-Joan Ravetllat: Architectural Design Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—Barcelona Tech, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Pilar Garcia-Almirall: Architectural Technology Department, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—Barcelona Tech, 08028 Barcelona, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-26

Abstract: The understanding of habitability conditions of existing housing stock plays a central role in the quantification and qualification of sustainability from the architectural field. This research assessed habitability as a fundamental social benefit by means of a multiscale approach to the case study of the Raval neighborhood that can be replicated in other settings. We described a sample of six hundred dwellings located in two urban blocks spatially and typologically. This analysis of architectural features incorporated information on the current occupancy and use of spaces and the assessment of the state of conservation and maintenance of building envelopes and common elements. Although the scale of most analyzed aspects was larger (building, urban block or urban fabric), the discussion of results by housing unit provided a close picture of the existing diversity and heterogeneity of socio-spatial and architectural realities within buildings and urban blocks. Results from this paper allow for the valuation and discussion of substandard housing cases that call for an immediate improvement and adaptation, while providing evidence that most dwellings fail to fulfill residents’ right to adequate housing. In conclusion, the results obtained highlight the importance of designing rehabilitation programs and instruments to improve existing spaces with a focus on current use, occupancy, and residents’ needs.

Keywords: right to adequate housing; housing conditions; substandard housing; residential building stock; urban vulnerability; historic centers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4598-:d:540065

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