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Table 1 Typological categories and social dimensions of urban design

From: Adaptation actions for integrated climate risk management into urban planning: a new framework from urban typologies to build resilience capacity in Santos (SP)

Urban characteristics

Zooning

Social stratification

TYPE 1: Residential zone along beachfront (i.e. Pompeia or Zé Menino, Gonzaga, Boqueirão, Embaré)

Upscale housing (high income)

From medium to high density, high proportion of people qualified to degree level, students and retired people. The majority of people live alone in flats or in apartments with an average of ~3.0 inhabitants per unit. The average income is more than ten minimum wages. Literacy rate greater than 99 %

TYPE 2: Commercial and residential areas along the coastline (i.e. Gonzaga and Boqueirão) in the south of Santos.

Local business and Tourism

From medium to high density, high proportion of people working in high skilled sectors including knowledge economy activities, real estate, renting, business, and education. People live alone in flats or in apartments with an average of ~3.0 inhabitants per unit. The average income is more than ten minimum wages and literacy rate greater than 99 %

TYPE 3: Residential zone along the beach and estuary (i.e. Ponta da Praia).

Standard housing (high to middle classes)

Middle density, high proportion of people qualified to degree level, young families and retired people. The majority of people live in houses with ~3.0 inhabitants per unit. The average income is up to ten minimum wages and literacy rate greater than 99 %

TYPE 4: Open space predominantly park land along the beaches in the south of Santos

Green open space

Low density, touristic areas with bike paths for long-distance commuting (intra-metropolitan commuting)

TYPE 5: Residential and commercial areas inland (i.e. Vila Mathias, Campo Grande, Vila Nova and Macuco).

Standard housing (middle to low classes)

Middle density, high proportion of people lives in private and rented accommodation (average income is less or no more than ten minimum wages, ~3.5 inhabitants per household, literacy rate between 90 and 95 %)

TYPE 6: Commercial areas in the northeast of Santos (Valongo, Historical center, Mont Serrat, and Paquetá).

Business (offices and trade)

High density, traditional commerce in the central area (old town). High density associated with poor living conditions and low income. High proportion of people lives in household dwellings (slums) with less than two rooms without basic sanitation—significant overcrowding levels (~4.5 inhabitants per unit, literacy rate less than 75 %)

TYPE 7: The zone of harbor with industrial activities, warehousing, and utilities (east and northeast of Santos).

Technical infrastructure and business (built, utilities, transport/cargo)

Low household density, high proportion of working people in high skilled sectors—international shipping and cargo containers. The average income is no more than ten minimum wages; literacy rate greater than 99 %

TYPE 8: Small islands and mangroves (north of Santos)

Natural resources in abundance (open spaces)

Low-density—sparsely populated—small settlements for local fishing and agriculture. The city’s Master Plan directs future industrial investment and port expansion largely to this continental area

TYPE 9: Residential and commercial areas close to the hills—northwest and southwest (e.g. Morro Jabaquara, Morro da Nova Cintra, Morro Marapé, Morro Cachoeira, Morro do Embaré, Morro José Menino) and topographic barriers (i.e. Morro São Bento, Morro Saboó).

Standard housing (low to middle classes) with social stratification differences between hill and adjacent flat valley.

Medium to high density—high proportion of people lives in private and rented accommodation (low to median household income and ~4 inhabitants per household). Neighborhoods illegally occupy land on hillsides and ravines. The northwest area still concentrates a great number of informal, low income and low quality neighborhoods, literacy rate less than 75 %

  1. Low density less than 500 people/km2
  2. Middle density between 5000 and 10,000 people/km2
  3. High density more than 10,000 people/km2
  4. Low income from less than one wage to one minimum wage
  5. Middle income from less than 10 wages to 10 minimum wages
  6. High income more than 20 minimum wages