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Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone...
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Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2025) | Viewed by 4499

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fernando F. S. Pinho

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
CERIS, FCT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 130 1169-0 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: ancient buildings; conservation and rehabilitation techniques; experimental analysis; building materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. António Baptista Coelho

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: architecture; housing; human habitat

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024 will take place in Lisbon (Portugal), from the 2–4 October 2024.

In the previous four editions of the International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space—CIHEL2010, 2CIHEL2013, 3CIHEL2015, and 4CIHEL2017—it has always been argued that the quality and well-being of housing depend on quantitative and qualitative aspects applied to the domestic space, the neighborhood, public space, the city, and the territory in which it operates. This reflection is very important because housing and urban needs remain critical in the countries sharing the fifth most spoken language in the world. We will therefore take advantage of this important cultural base to disseminate, discuss, and exchange experiences and residential and urban reference cases, with an emphasis on the ever-important promotion of social housing. 

It is also important to remember what we learned in the development of social housing over about a century of its promotion, through both good and bad examples, and, more recently, in Portugal, over around 30 years of municipal housing dynamics and cooperative and private that has left us with an excellent set of recent housing and urban reference cases. And, if we add to this the currently urgent issue of developing dynamic solutions for the promotion, design, and construction of high-quality housing with controlled budgets, then focus can be placed on theme of the new 5CIHEL2024: “Making Housing”.

Conference Website (in Portuguese):
https://www.5cihel2024.org/pt/

Dr. Fernando F. S. Pinho
Dr. António Baptista Coelho
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • housing and new ways of living
  • housing project
  • BIM modeling
  • construction and housing quality
  • rehabilitation
  • urbanism and neighborhood
  • social housing
  • housing programs and policies
  • housing promotion
  • housing cooperatives

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1951 KiB  
Article
Eco-Efficient Thermal Rehabilitation of Residential Buildings in Northeast Brazil Through Thermal Modeling Considering Future Climate Needs
by Guilherme B. A. Coelho, Paulina Faria and Nada Mowafy
Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1497; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091497 - 28 Apr 2025
Abstract
The outdoor climate is expected to undergo significant and extreme changes. These changes may lead to increased building requirements depending on their location. This is critical, as human beings tend to spend a large part of their time inside buildings. Accordingly, it is [...] Read more.
The outdoor climate is expected to undergo significant and extreme changes. These changes may lead to increased building requirements depending on their location. This is critical, as human beings tend to spend a large part of their time inside buildings. Accordingly, it is crucial to take future conditions into account to ensure an adequate indoor climate, simultaneously meeting the current drive for decarbonization of the built environment. One avenue is opting for thermally efficient building products and technologies with a lower carbon footprint to guarantee a comfortable indoor climate while minimizing energy consumption. This study focuses on the Northeast region of Brazil, specifically its nine states, given the usage of specific passive thermal strategies in new buildings that have high compensatory energy consumption. This is achieved through developing computational thermal models of a housing unit in a multi-family building, commonly constructed in several cities in this region. This thermal model was employed to analyze indoor thermal comfort, energy consumption, and carbon footprint. To account for future climate projections, the analysis includes scenarios based on Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5. The efficiency of certain sustainable passive rehabilitation is demonstrated in this region, highlighting the importance of adopting passive and efficient thermal measures appropriate to the region’s climate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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16 pages, 10407 KiB  
Article
Understanding Structural Timber in Old Buildings in Lisbon, Portugal: From Knowledge of Construction Processes to Physical–Mechanical Properties
by Dulce Franco Henriques
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071161 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 297
Abstract
This text provides a comprehensive overview of structural timber old buildings, from an in-depth analysis of construction processes to laboratory-based research aimed at establishing a pattern for estimating the density of wood in buildings. It is now widely recognised by society that historic [...] Read more.
This text provides a comprehensive overview of structural timber old buildings, from an in-depth analysis of construction processes to laboratory-based research aimed at establishing a pattern for estimating the density of wood in buildings. It is now widely recognised by society that historic buildings should be subject to conservation or rehabilitation. This article discusses the good technical knowledge that those involved in old buildings should have: the understanding of and respect for old construction techniques; rigorous inspections and diagnosis before a project; and the recognition of the properties of wooden structural elements, either visually or by means of non-destructive or semi-destructive testing methods (NDT/SDT). The final section of this article presents a laboratory study that correlates penetration resistance test results with wood density and verifies them in situ by direct analysis with wood core extraction. The aim of this study is to establish and verify a reliable pattern that allows the user to estimate the density of Scots pine in any structural member in service in an old building. The results obtained in the laboratory and of wood in service show that Equation (1) is a suitable pattern to obtain wood density through the wood penetration resistance test. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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16 pages, 6155 KiB  
Article
Urban Planning and Housing in Lisbon from the 1950s: Some Hidden Facts
by Carolina Chaves and Ana Tostões
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071115 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 186
Abstract
Urban planning in the 1950s laid the foundation for innovative urban and architectural practices, not only by investigating the spatial and constructive aspects of housing, but also by attempting to expand and improve free green spaces. This paper aims to go deep into [...] Read more.
Urban planning in the 1950s laid the foundation for innovative urban and architectural practices, not only by investigating the spatial and constructive aspects of housing, but also by attempting to expand and improve free green spaces. This paper aims to go deep into the theoretical principles of two Lisbon neighborhoods recognized as urban paradigms on public housing, namely, the Olivais Norte and Olivais Sul (1954–1964), trying to perceive a concept of living that interweaves the private and public dynamics through the green spaces. Digging into the municipal archives, the paper sheds light on the Gabinete de Estudos de Urbanização (GEU) (Urban Studies Office, 1954–1959) urbanistic contributions through its development of the 1959 Lisbon Master Plan and the creation of more than 100 urbanization plans for Lisbon. The Olivais were the only ones implemented, even though it underwent considerable transformations. The GEU vision for Lisbon included a population of up to 1,100,000 inhabitants and a green space ratio of 55 m² per inhabitant. The built Lisbon struggles to provide housing for approximately 534,000 inhabitants, with a green space ratio of 36 m² per inhabitant. Critically analyzing the (mis)steps of Lisbon’s planning processes through the lens of the 1950s experience can help guide current decisions and chart future paths. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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17 pages, 1924 KiB  
Article
The Informal City as Urban Idealisation
by Carlos Almeida Marques
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071083 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 326
Abstract
The informal city, also known as the clandestine city and usually associated with the phenomenon of urban self-organisation, is a reality that cuts across all societies today and occurs in the most diverse regions of the globe, which raises the following question: Why [...] Read more.
The informal city, also known as the clandestine city and usually associated with the phenomenon of urban self-organisation, is a reality that cuts across all societies today and occurs in the most diverse regions of the globe, which raises the following question: Why do such different cultures, in such different geographies, adopt a common idea of an ‘informal city’ to live in? Despite the dramatic human condition that characterises slums and informal settlements, it is challenging to understand how these settlements can be adopted as a living space for so many and such diverse populations, admitting the interpretation that it is a utopia and an urban idealisation. Informal urbanisation processes occur outside the system and on the fringes of the practice of ‘institutional urban planning’, as a necessary and immediate response to the absence of public land policies, housing market failures or situations arising from social and economic crises. The object of this study is to find out to what extent the configuration of space, the territorialisation model and the morphology of the informal city, characterised by an entropic urbanism, correspond to an urban organisational structure that occurs when it is up to society to provide its own habitat and urban environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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25 pages, 10729 KiB  
Article
Numerical Modeling of Reinforcement Solutions in Traditional Stone Masonry Using a Particle Model
by Nuno Monteiro Azevedo, Ildi Cismaşiu, Fernando F. S. Pinho and Filipe Neves
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1058; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071058 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 273
Abstract
Traditional stone masonry walls are structural elements in most historic buildings. To preserve them and improve their ability to withstand extreme events, such as earthquakes, it is necessary to implement effective reinforcement solutions. This paper presents the modeling of traditional Portuguese rubble stone [...] Read more.
Traditional stone masonry walls are structural elements in most historic buildings. To preserve them and improve their ability to withstand extreme events, such as earthquakes, it is necessary to implement effective reinforcement solutions. This paper presents the modeling of traditional Portuguese rubble stone masonry walls, reinforced with external steel mesh, sprayed micro-concrete layers and transverse confinement by steel connectors, which were developed and tested experimentally in uniaxial compression. The modeling is carried out using micro-modeling through a 2D particle model (PM). The process of calibrating the properties of both micro-concrete and concrete is presented, the methodology for generating the numerical models is described and the numerical response is compared with the experimental results. The numerical results show that the PM can adequately reproduce the experimentally observed behavior of this type of reinforcement solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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22 pages, 28847 KiB  
Article
Prefabricated Solutions for Housing: Modular Architecture and Flexible Living Spaces
by Mina Djukanovic, Alexandra Alegre and Francisco Teixeira Bastos
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060862 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 985
Abstract
This research explores the development of a modular prefabricated concrete housing prototype, focusing on sustainability and flexibility. Supported by industry collaboration, it examines three key hypotheses: (1) a rigid geometric modular layout optimizing standardized panels while allowing spatial customization and adaptability, (2) a [...] Read more.
This research explores the development of a modular prefabricated concrete housing prototype, focusing on sustainability and flexibility. Supported by industry collaboration, it examines three key hypotheses: (1) a rigid geometric modular layout optimizing standardized panels while allowing spatial customization and adaptability, (2) a mixed construction system combining panels with pillars and beams for greater design flexibility, and (3) prefabricated concrete panels with integrated thermal insulation to enhance comfort. An analytical framework was developed based on modularity, flexibility, and sustainability, informed by an extensive literature review and applied to contemporary collective housing case studies. Insights from this analysis guided the development of a housing prototype that integrates modularity, adaptable construction, and sustainable principles. The proposed design follows the principles of design for assembly and disassembly (DFA/DFD), increasingly relevant in modern construction. The findings suggest that combining concrete solutions with thermal insulation, structured around a regular geometric grid, enables diverse housing typologies while ensuring cost efficiency through prefabrication. This approach challenges the monotony of conventional housing, offering visually engaging and functionally adaptable alternatives. It promotes architecture that balances efficiency, sustainability, and aesthetic value while addressing modern housing needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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10 pages, 1146 KiB  
Article
The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in Africa
by Fábio Oliveira Santos and Nuno Lacerda Lopes
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 860; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060860 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 606
Abstract
In the current context of transformation within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, and the growing adoption of interdisciplinary collaboration processes such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM), information management systems are crucial to ensure both the security [...] Read more.
In the current context of transformation within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, and the growing adoption of interdisciplinary collaboration processes such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM), information management systems are crucial to ensure both the security and reliability of data, and its effective distribution among project stakeholders. Collaborative centralized information systems have emerged as powerful tools for communication and data exchange. However, establishing efficient and flexible methodologies for managing this information remains a significant challenge. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative centralized information systems in project information management through a real-world example. The research focuses on analyzing a pilot project developed by our organization using the Bimcollab digital collaborative platform. The methodology adopted includes the following: (i) descriptive characterization of the project; (ii) selection of a defined timeframe; (iii) description and characterization of the information management systems; and (iv) comparative analysis between non-centralized and centralized information management systems. The case study examines the Detail Design phase of a project for a pharmaceutical industry complex comprising six buildings, with a total area of approximately 18,000 m2. From October to December 2022, a non-centralized information system was used, followed by the implementation of a centralized information system from January to March 2023. Key indicators, such as the number of occurrences, average number of recipients involved, response times, and resolution rates, were analyzed. The results showed that the complete resolution rate improved from 51% under the non-centralized system to 85% with the centralized system, representing a 34% increase. The pilot project underscores the benefits of centralized collaborative information systems, particularly in reducing response times and increasing resolution rates among stakeholders. These benefits are expected to apply across various functional programs, including residential construction, contributing to optimizing both project design and construction practices. While derived from a single case study, the findings highlight the need for further research involving multiple cases and phases of the project lifecycle to validate the generalizability of these outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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30 pages, 3983 KiB  
Article
Resilient House Evaluation Matrix: Attributes and Quality Indicators for Social Housing
by Simone Barbosa Villa, Karen Carrer Ruman de Bortoli and Lamonise Vasconcelos Oliveira
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050793 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 563
Abstract
Background: This study explores resilience in Brazilian social housing (SH), focusing on single-family, one-story housing units within the “Minha Casa, Minha Vida” (MCMV) program. Despite reducing the housing deficit by delivering 7.7 million units since 2009, the program’s projects often lack resilience, contributing [...] Read more.
Background: This study explores resilience in Brazilian social housing (SH), focusing on single-family, one-story housing units within the “Minha Casa, Minha Vida” (MCMV) program. Despite reducing the housing deficit by delivering 7.7 million units since 2009, the program’s projects often lack resilience, contributing to social, physical, and environmental vulnerabilities. Resilience is defined as the built environment’s ability to respond, absorb, and adapt to impacts and demands, addressing vulnerability and adaptive capacity. Methods: This study developed the Resilient House Evaluation Matrix (RHEM), piloted in two MCMV developments in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. Data were collected using performance and post-occupancy evaluation tools, focusing on attributes such as thermal comfort, energy efficiency, flexibility, and accessibility for the elderly. Indicators and sub-indicators were defined to measure resilience. Results: The RHEM attributes proved useful in improving housing quality and resilience, while evaluation tools identified key impacts and residents’ perceptions. The Resilience Ruler (RR) assessed resilience levels, supporting the development of design strategies to enhance resilience in SH. These findings align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, contributing to resilient communities. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of resilient SH design to address vulnerabilities and enhance adaptability. The RHEM provides a valuable framework for advancing housing resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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15 pages, 4253 KiB  
Article
Parameters for Evolutive Social Housing Projects in Brazil: Contributions from Experiences in Portugal
by Luciana Guimarães Teixeira Santos, Ana Kláudia Perdigão and Filipa Roseta
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050718 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 398
Abstract
In Brazil, social housing is standardized into two-bedroom units, even when the beneficiary families have been previously identified. In Portugal, despite standardization, housing projects have adopted the concept of evolutionary housing. These are flexible proposals with typological diversity, allowing for a variety of [...] Read more.
In Brazil, social housing is standardized into two-bedroom units, even when the beneficiary families have been previously identified. In Portugal, despite standardization, housing projects have adopted the concept of evolutionary housing. These are flexible proposals with typological diversity, allowing for a variety of family arrangements. While numerous studies analyze the quality of Brazilian housing projects, few of these studies have directly influenced the reality of the projects implemented. Thus, this study seeks to identify clear and objective parameters that can be applied to the design of social housing projects in Brazil. The evaluation of evolutionary social housing projects used in the resettlement process of Lisbon social neighborhoods was based on the housing program developed by the Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil of Portugal. The findings consist of reference percentages indicating the necessary increases in minimum areas, according to the adopted housing typology, to enable project evolution. By systematizing design practices, this study aims to contribute to the dissemination and application of flexibility as a requirement in the conception of social housing proposals in Brazil, improving the ability to meet residents’ needs and enhancing the quality of life for the most vulnerable populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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23 pages, 5670 KiB  
Review
Technical Assistance, Social Practices, and Resilience in Social Housing: An Overview of the Current Scientific Literature
by Jakeline A. G. Valadão and Simone B. Villa
Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1467; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091467 - 26 Apr 2025
Viewed by 179
Abstract
The Social Housing units in the Minha Casa Minha Vida Program (PMCMV), launched in 2009, aimed to reduce the housing deficit in Brazil. However, they resulted in standardized units of low architectural quality, which were disconnected from the diverse Brazilian contexts. These housing [...] Read more.
The Social Housing units in the Minha Casa Minha Vida Program (PMCMV), launched in 2009, aimed to reduce the housing deficit in Brazil. However, they resulted in standardized units of low architectural quality, which were disconnected from the diverse Brazilian contexts. These housing units exhibit low resilience and lack the technical assistance required for renovations, leading residents to undertake self-built modifications. Such interventions, often inadequate, negatively impact environmental comfort and structural safety. The Federal Law on Technical Assistance for Social Housing (TASH) No. 11.888 advanced the provision of technical assistance but still faces challenges regarding its implementation due to significant demand. This article is part of a master’s research project linked to the [CASA RESILIENTE] initiative of the [MORA] Research Group on Housing and, aims to identify and analyze relevant studies, contributing to the analysis and improvement of the pilot platform “[REFORMA] na palma da mão”. The methodology includes a literature review of TASH, resilience in the built environment, social practices in Social Housing (SH), and post-occupancy evaluation (POE), as well as a study of artifacts similar to the proposed platform. The results highlight the importance of POE, the urgency of implementing TASH, and the need to deepen studies on social practices in SH to provide guidelines for more resilient renovations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “International Housing Congress in the Lusophone Space–5CIHEL2024”)
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