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In a world where urbanization is increasing and cities are undergoing significant changes, Brazilian cities are experiencing vertical growth that is greatly changing their layout.
The trend of cities building taller structures, known as urban verticalization, is becoming increasingly popular globally. Experts see this as a significant development, especially in countries like Brazil with large urban populations.
The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) reported that Brazil’s population has reached 212 million people across 5,570 municipalities.
More than half of the global population currently resides in urban areas, a percentage projected to rise to 66% by 2050, as reported by the United Nations.
Urban verticalization, a common feature of major Brazilian cities, is a key factor in diversifying urban spaces. There is ongoing debate regarding its effects, with questions raised about whether verticalization ultimately benefits or harms society and what its overall impact on cities is.
This text will reveal:
What does urban verticalization refer to?
Advantages and disadvantages of urban verticalization should be considered.
How do cities around the world expand?
Vertical construction in urban areas of Brazil
What does vertical urbanization entail?
Mendes (1992) defines verticalization as constructing four or more floors and changing the cityscape through various forms of capital and technology.
Urban verticalization is a progressed phase of urban land utilization that signifies social and economic transformations.
The vertical growth of cities is viewed by many as a potential remedy for the limited urban space, leading to upward expansion due to the lack of horizontal options.
Verticalization and horizontal developments are primarily a means of capitalizing on urban space.
Verticalization is the outcome of urban soil multiplication and the creation of urban space through a strategy involving various forms of capital such as land, real estate, and financial, as stated by Souza (1994, p. 135).
Verticalizing refers to constructing buildings with multiple floors to accommodate a larger population and increase the utilization of urban areas, as stated by Ramires in 1997.
The verticalization process has become achievable thanks to:
- Discovery of novel substances.
- The creation of the elevator.
- Technical problems in constructive activity’s equation.
Discover the effects of verticalization on cities by reading further.
Advantages and disadvantages of urban verticalization
The vertical growth of cities resulting from real estate development has various effects on society, with differing opinions among experts on whether it is beneficial or not. Balancing the practical needs of modern society with sustainability remains a challenging issue.
Those dedicated to addressing urban, social, and economic issues support cities’ development, including vertical growth. In contrast, some believe it merely serves as a tool for economic dominance and speculation.
Advantages of urban verticalization.
Vertical development in big cities can offer various benefits, one of which is preventing soil waterproofing and its negative impact on the water cycle.
Cities’ worth is a key factor driving businesses to build vertically, as it enables more real estate companies to evaluate land costs and promotes the democratization of urban areas.
The real estate industry itself promotes the idea of add-on as the most contemporary and enduring way of living.
Vertical constructions are typically more thoughtfully planned and have a longer lifespan compared to horizontal constructions built without much consideration, resulting in a positive environmental impact.
Urban planning is essential to simplify things.
What are the drawbacks of urban vertical growth?
Verticalizing cities can also lead to certain challenges. It requires urban infrastructure to be more widespread, resulting in higher costs for implementation and upkeep, and giving rise to issues such as:
- increased energy usage
- Increased pollution levels.
- poor hygiene and sanitation conditions
- aesthetic pollution;
- Road system congestion, impacting public transportation.
- Water supply system saturation treated.
- Household waste collection overload, and more.
Improperly planned vertical development can lead to the “heat island” effect, causing urban areas to have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas and can also result in wind channeling.
How do cities expand globally?
A city can grow by expanding in three ways: horizontally, by building new cities, or vertically. Historically, the primary form of growth for cities was expanding outward from their center.
In 1898, New York underwent significant expansion to become the present-day Great New York, a megacity. Similarly, cities in India such as Delhi and Mumbai have also expanded to form new urban areas like New Mumbai and New Delhi.
The second aspect emphasizes the development of smart cities tailored to the needs of the residents, exemplified by the construction of two such cities in Morocco: Casablanca and Rabat.
Vertical urbanization has become a popular strategy in various countries worldwide, with China being a leading proponent by effectively implementing it to handle urban growth. Currently, China boasts the highest number of tall buildings globally, exceeding the United States.
Urban development in Brazil with a focus on vertical growth.
In Brazil’s historical context, verticalization of cities is seen as a key way of occupying urban space and is often considered a solution to housing issues faced by the population.
Between the 1950s and 2010, the government played a significant role in funding the country’s urban development, notably through programs like the My House Program supported by the Financial Housing System.
Between 2000 and 2010, the quantity of housing units in Brazil increased by 43%, rising from 4.3 million to 6.1 million.
There was a significant rise in the need for land and real estate during this time.
- Investment growth in the construction sector.
- credit arrangements
- Extension of deadlines for mortgage financing.
Social programs aimed at housing problems paradoxically lead to an increase in real estate market activity. This situation highlights two key aspects.
- Investments in housing units are increasing to fulfill the needs of the middle class.
- A method for “capital sterilization,” particularly aimed at volatile financial capital.
Urban verticalization is not a negative factor and can actually be a beneficial solution for large cities.
Cities become more efficient in using urban space through vertical development.
The vertical growth of cities is a significant development in construction that impacts the capital accumulation and real estate market dynamics.
Urban verticalization is a process that occurs as a result of urban space development, leading to more efficient use of urban infrastructure and influencing the way people perceive and experience cities.
Verticalization can lead to issues like sustainability and pollution, highlighting the critical need for careful planning in this regard.
Verticalization is a challenging journey that offers many advantages but necessitates careful preparation, making real estate a more secure investment.
The real estate market offers great opportunities for investment, as seen in previous discussions on the INCO blog. With the verticalization trend reflecting this growth, venturing into this market can lead to substantial profits.
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