Drivers and Challenges for Implementing Sustainability-oriented Upgrading in Social Housing in Brazil

Abstract Social housing (SH) development is, in general, triggered by policies and regulations, which stimulate interventions, create financing mechanisms, designate agents conducive to retrofit processes. European directives for energy efficiency the recent call a ‘retrofit wave’ have an evident influence. In Brazil, delivery management of SH are based on public offer units their immediate ownership transfer. National or state agencies responsible basic maintenance five years, but other post-delivery interventions depend exclusively effort expenses occupant. budgets leave little no margin extra spending bringing international sustainability standards is yet not mandatory. The issues that arise implement upgrading this context therefore related following questions: What priority actions processes? type would be required available? project execution model who stakeholders involved? This article focuses issue prioritization SH. A systematic literature review examined reported sustainability-related improvements. critical Brazilian building label two assessment methods then supported ranking according relevance assigned respective contexts. Finally, panel construction professionals provided insights regarding technical feasibility intrusiveness implementation both single- multi-family projects. Findings show minor actions, such as changing hydraulic electrical fixtures landscaping, usually do cost more than implementing them from outcome equally applicable But, when high-level (deep upgrading) table, costs rapidly increase due need substantially change existing systems supporting structures, makes often financially and/or technically unfeasible.