Assessment of Sustainability Requirements in Temporary Housing in the Municipalities of Estrela and Cruzeiro do Sul, RS, Brazil

Abstract

This research aims to assess the sustainability of modular housing units implemented as temporary shelters for populations affected by flooding in the municipalities of Estrela and Cruzeiro do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The investigation adopted a qualitative and exploratory approach, applying two sustainability assessment methodologies: the framework proposed by Alshawawreh et al. (2020), which was designed for post-disaster contexts, and the MASP-HIS methodology developed by Carvalho (2009), originally applied to social housing projects. The analyses were based on technical site visits and documentation provided by the manufacturer. The results indicated that the units meet the minimum technical requirements and offer advantages such as rapid deployment, module reusability, and the use of industrialized construction systems. However, important limitations were identified, particularly regarding thermal comfort, the absence of user participation in the design stages, and low sociocultural adaptability. The sustainable performance of the housing was classified as partial, with significant room for improvement, especially in environmental and social aspects. The originality of this research lies in the combined application of two complementary methods within a real post-disaster scenario in southern Brazil. The findings contribute to improving public policies for temporary housing, emphasizing the importance of integrating environmental strategies, community participation, and long-term cost assessment.