Contributions of architecture and urbanism to the issue of the homeless population in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The existence of people living in public urban spaces is a global phenomenon with limited design/spatial solutions. Since the 2000s, the Census of the Homeless Population in Brazil has tracked a steady increase in this population in São Paulo, which can be attributed to widespread unemployment, housing shortages, and high rental prices. This situation was exacerbated after the Covid-19 pandemic, when, according to the 2019 and 2021 Censuses, there was a 31% increase in this population and a 330% rise in improvised housing solutions. Currently, the demand for shelters and services exceeds the capacity of the existing system. This article addresses the issue of homelessness in contemporary cities from a spatial perspective, discussing possible urban interventions and presenting a final project derived from an academic experience. Beginning with an analysis of the existing context of the homeless population and the urban conditions along a raised expressway that cuts through central São Paulo, then proceeds to identify underused land. The design strategy includes supplementing the existing network of services and providing diverse assistance and types of housing/shelter for a fundamentally heterogeneous population. Finally, an architectural project is presented, based on the premise of providing services to the "Welcome Center" and the neighborhood, aimed at offering stability and dignity to homeless people and providing permanent housing as a first step toward promoting social reintegration and well-being.