Abstract This paper reports on a hygrothermal comfort analysis performed inside a single-family house located in a warm, humid climate. The study was carried out using the Computerized fluid dynamics (CFD) in the Ansys Fluent software for the management and calculation of variables. Two scenarios were evaluated: with and without obstruction of the entryways. It is understood that the use of CFDs in a dedicated program facilitates analysis on a single platform and provides a more robust calculation through the use of different variables in the same process.

Resumen Se realizó un análisis de confortabilidad higrotérmica al interior de una vivienda unifamiliar en un clima cálido húmedo. Se empleó la dinámica de fluidos computarizada (CFD) en el software Ansys Fluent para la gestión y cálculo de las variables. Se evaluaron dos escenarios, con y sin obstrucción en los vanos de acceso. Se entiende que el uso de CFD en un programa dedicado a ello facilita el análisis en una sola plataforma y ofrece un cálculo más robusto con el uso de distintas variables en un mismo proceso.

Abstract In the past decade a number of studies have looked into the environmental conditions of buildings and the quality of air indoors, in light of scientific reports that link them to serious illnesses. Outstanding among these studies are the ones focusing on the concentration of Radon gas, qualified as a grade one carcinogen. Our article analyzes the concentrations of this gas detected in a single-family home and how the levels may be affected by the ventilation system used. Air samples were taken under different conditions -the first sample without ventilation of the space and the second with ventilation- in three units of the house: garage, living room and bedroom. The maximum concentrations obtained when the ventilation system was not in operation show values between 94.45 and 391.12 Bq/m3, obtaining an average of 278.86 Bq/m3, being above the recommended ideal threshold established by the World Health Organization. In contrast, the maximum concentrations were between 71.56 and 29.98 Bq/m3 when the ventilation system was used. Our results confirm that ventilation is decisive for reducing the concentration of gas in interiors, giving an average efficiency of 62%.

RESUMO A partir do debate travado nas décadas de 1930 e 1940 em torno do prédio de apartamentos e de sua conveniência como moradia para trabalhadores, este trabalho discute os limites da difusão de tal tipologia no âmbito de ação de fábricas e empresas mineradoras no Brasil, na provisão de moradias para seus empregados. Mostra como na ação dessas empresas a moradia coletiva foi, sobretudo, uma solução oferecida aos empregados solteiros. Investigar a trajetória da tipologia dos prédios de apartamentos estudados é outro propósito do artigo. Indica como alguns desses prédios revelam um momento de transição entre a casa unifamiliar e o edifício de apartamentos, enquanto outros refletem a legitimidade dessa forma de morar e a fixação de uma tipologia.

ABSTRACT From the debate in the 1930s and 1940s about the apartment building and its convenience as housing for workers, this paper discusses the limits of the spread of this type in factories and mining companies action in Brazil providing housing for their employees. It shows how in their action, collective housing was, above all, a solution offered to unmarried employees. The trajectory of the typology of collective dwellings for families is another purpose of the article. It shows how some of these buildings reveal a moment of transition between the single-family home and the apartment building, while others reflect the legitimacy of this way of living and the fixation of a typology.

The market value of a property is an important parameter for decision making in various sectors of society. The selection and identification of the aspects that most influence the variation of the property value are fundamental, because it is from these considerations that we can develop explanatory models to establish the property value. In Lajeado, a city in southern Brazil, floods resulting from the Taquari river are a phenomenon that occurs with some frequency. This study aims at investigating the influence of these floods on urban real estate values. We analyzed the single-family home segment through a hedonic pricing model. Data were obtained from the local real estate market. The calculated model showed good statistical performance, following the regression analysis requirements. Results indicate that residential properties located in flood-prone areas have a 16% lower value than properties located outside these areas.

El valor de mercado de una propiedad es un parámetro importante para la toma de decisiones en diversos sectores de la sociedad. La selección o identificación de los aspectos que más influyen en la variación del valor de la propiedad es fundamental, ya que es a partir de estas consideraciones que pueden ser desarrollados modelos explicativos para la formación del valor de la propiedad. En Lajeado, ciudad ubicada en el sur de Brasil, las inundaciones resultantes del río Taquari son fenómenos que ocurren con cierta frecuencia. Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la influencia de las inundaciones en el valor de bienes inmuebles urbanos en esta ciudad. Examinamos el segmento de viviendas unifamiliares, a través de un modelo de precios hedónicos. Los datos se obtuvieron del mercado local de bienes raíces y el modelo estadístico calculado mostró un buen rendimiento, siguiendo los requisitos del análisis de regresión. Los resultados indican que las propiedades residenciales ubicadas en zonas expuestas a inundaciones tienen un valor 16% menor que las propiedades ubicadas fuera de esas áreas

Permanence is inevitably associated with the capacity for change. The structure of this single-family home has discretely allowed for the formation of new social structures and the conservation of the urban fabric even as the neighborhood faces renewal.

La permanencia está asociada inevitablemente a la capacidad de cambio. La estructura de esta casa unifamiliar se ha intervenido discretamente para dar lugar a nuevas estructuras sociales y permitir la conservación de un tejido urbano en proceso de renovación.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and explore the health and socio-economic outcomes of Jubilee, a community on the Caribbean island of Grenada hit by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and to identify remaining barriers to recovery. METHODS: The assessment consisted of a mixed methods approach employing observations, household surveys, in-depth interviews and focus groups. RESULTS: Eighty-five per cent of the residents live in a single-family home type dwelling which is occupied by multiple families. Twenty-seven per cent of the respondents depended on a river or stream for water and 83% utilized an outdoor pit latrine. Construction accounted for 28% of the employment while 16% reported having no occupation. Public and private transportation was limited and 48% of the residents lived on less than one United States of America (US) dollar per day. Access to healthcare was reported by 89% and the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension was identified by 13% and 30% of the residents respectively. Social fragmentation within the community represents a barrier that keeps the community from developing common goals leading to full economic recovery. CONCLUSION: Jubilee has not fully recovered from the effects of Hurricane Ivan, but progress has been made in the reconstruction effort. These efforts have addressed the most immediate and basic needs of the community, mainly utility service infrastructure and home repairs. However, issues related to the community's economic recovery are still unresolved.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar y explorar la salud y los resultados socio-económicos de Jubilee, una comunidad de la isla caribeña de Granada, afectada por el huracán Iván en el 2004, e identificar los obstáculos que aún quedan para la recuperación. MÉTODOS: La evaluación consistió en un abordaje de métodos mezclados que empleaban la observación, encuestas domésticas, entrevistas detalladas, y grupos focales (grupos de discusión). RESULTADOS: El ochenta y cinco por ciento de los residentes viven en viviendas que son para una sola familia, pero están ocupadas por familias múltiples. El veinte por ciento de los encuestados dependían de un río o una corriente para obtener agua, y un 83% utilizaba letrinas de pozo exteriores. La construcción daba cuenta del 28% de los empleos, en tanto que el 16% reportó no tener ocupación. Tanto el transporte público como el privado se hallaban limitados, y el 48% de los residentes vivían con menos de un dólar americano (1 USD) por día. Acceso a la atención a la salud fue reportado por 89% y la prevalencia de la diabetes y la hipertensión fue identificada por el 13% y el 30% de los residentes, respectivamente. La fragmentación social dentro de la comunidad representa un obstáculo que impide que la comunidad desarrolle metas comunes, que conduzcan a una plena recuperación económica. CONCLUSIÓN: Jubilee no se ha recuperado totalmente de los efectos del huracán Iván, pero ha habido progreso en los esfuerzos por la reconstrucción. Estos esfuerzos han estado dirigidos a las necesidades básicas y más inmediatas de la comunidad, fundamentalmente a la reparación de las casas y las infraestructuras de servicios. Sin embargo, los problemas relacionados con la recuperación económica de la comunidad siguen aún sin solución.