Articles

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in the region between the tropics and the Equator, is marked by high humidity, heavy rainfall, and high temperatures. Alongside these summer storms, Brazil also contends with a series of severe events such as flooding, landslides, and dam failures. Over the years, the concentration of these events between November and March has become increasingly common. Their occurrence is directly linked to seasonal summer rains, but also to the country's ongoing economic activities.

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Will 2022 place Brazil on the path toward the economic transition needed to meet climate goals and keep the long-term target of net-zero emissions by 2050 viable? There is still a window of opportunity for the world to limit warming to 1.5°C, but countries' lack of ambition so far has made this scenario increasingly costly to achieve. Each passing year adds urgency, and science has made it clear that decisions made this decade will define the planet's climate balance.

Facades are the calling card of any building, shaping visitors' first impressions of the space they are entering. They are also the part of a building most exposed to the elements and street pollution, requiring periodic maintenance. This article offers practical tips to guide you when renovating the front of your home. 

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Departing from the 20th-century logic that shaped most cities, deprioritizing cars in urban development and reducing their designated street space does not worsen congestion. On the contrary, reclaiming road space by reducing vehicle lanes prompts a shift in transit habits. People increasingly opt for sustainable alternatives—such as walking, cycling, or public transit—which significantly reduces the volume of private vehicles.

This article begins with the premise that cities are not neutral spaces. Territories, much like architecture, urbanism, literature, culture, and politics, are conditioned by the values of a given society at a specific point in time. Consequently, the configuration of these spaces is shaped by societal values—in this case, those of a patriarchal, racist, and capitalist society. As a result, this lack of neutrality in the production of urban space leads to different ways in which cities are used and experienced by their inhabitants. These unique experiences, in turn, are deeply intertwined with issues of social class, race, and gender.

Whether or not they grow up to be architects, the fundamental skills that drive design and architecture can offer immense benefits to our children. The way children grow up to think, behave, solve problems, and create can be immeasurably enhanced by teaching them to think like architects from an early age.

We are living through a period of demographic transition—a shift we are all well aware of. The growth of the population over 60 has been exponential; however, it is not just this demographic increase that must be considered, but also the changing profile of this generation. After all, older adults are not what they used to be. 

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As the global population increasingly concentrates in urban centers, land in major cities is becoming progressively more expensive. Meanwhile, rising sea levels driven by climate change threaten the housing of millions worldwide—it is estimated that 800 million people will be at risk by 2050.

Living on water could offer a solution to both of these major challenges. This very premise inspired a new neighborhood in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands—a country with a long history of adapting to environmental adversity, where a quarter of the land lies below sea level.

"I’m an architect... now what do I do?" is likely one of the most common questions asked by any recent architecture graduate. Over the years, many will find jobs in different industries that do not necessarily involve working in an office designing and constructing buildings.

An architectural project goes far beyond final plans, stunning renderings, or physical models. It progresses through several phases that generate a comprehensive set of documents—including technical drawings, written reports, and various other forms of representation—covering everything from conceptualization to construction. More than just a methodology, these stages are governed by standards, with NBR 13532 (Preparation of Building Projects - Architecture) serving as the foundation for the necessary conditions of architectural design development.

The choice to use private cars is understandable, extending far beyond the so-called "car culture." The convenience of point-to-point transit, flexible scheduling, and a sense of personal security justifies its use, especially where sustainable transportation networks do not adequately serve the entire population. But do drivers actually pay for the impacts they generate?

For decades, cars have been associated with a promise of convenience, autonomy, and comfort. Individually, this may well be true. However, prioritizing the automobile in city design makes urban mobility inefficient and fuels inequality by depriving a large portion of the population of access to opportunities. Using a car is an individual choice that imposes heavy collective costs. Charging for the social costs of this choice is a promising way to discourage it while simultaneously generating funding for sustainable mobility.

Renovations can often be a major headache. To avoid this, thorough planning and investing time in a comprehensive project are essential to ensure that every stage is executed on time and, most importantly, within budget. With this in mind, here are some tips and key elements to consider before embarking on a basic kitchen renovation.

The future of urban planning may lie in Brazil's second-largest city: Rio de Janeiro. But it is not along the glittering waterfront of Ipanema, overlooked because it houses some of the most expensive real estate in Latin America. Nor is it in the city center, renovated for the 2016 Olympics and now the focus of a major urban revitalization plan. To glimpse the future of cities, one must pass by the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon to the Jardim Botânico neighborhood and then look up at the hills, where the immense neighborhood of Rocinha is perilously perched on the slopes.

In its most widely accepted definition, sustainable development is understood as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. While often associated with environmental and natural resource issues, sustainable development goes further, encompassing social and economic aspects such as justice, inclusion, and poverty eradication.

Something is deeply wrong when the most beautiful streets in Brazil would be forbidden from being built today. Indeed, the vast majority of Brazilian master plans prohibit any of us from building houses and buildings with the very characteristics that led these streets to be voted the most beautiful in the country.

The Covid-19 pandemic hit public transit hard. Initially, global ridership dropped by up to 80%, and by the end of 2020, public transit was still operating with only about 20% of its pre-pandemic passenger volume. The concern is that, if public transit does not recover, people will increasingly opt for private vehicles.

Over the last few decades, discussions on addressing climate challenges have unfolded even as we experience their effects. Although cars and motorcycles are the primary emitters of pollutants, buses also play a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions and the rise of illnesses related to air pollution. In this regard, adopting new technologies, such as electric buses and alternative fuels, is essential to reducing their impact on public health and the environment.