Between Cultural Heritage and the Right to Housing

Challenges of the social role of architecture and urbanism in Alcântara-MA

Abstract

From a dialectical bias, the research seeks to demonstrate, through bibliographic research and field research, the contradictions of traditional housing policy and, on the other hand, presents the Technical Advisory, based on Law 11888/2008, as an alternative in access low-income people's right to housing. As the object of study, the Baixão do Lobato neighborhood in Alcântara (MA) was chosen, a place of land conflict due to the city's patrimonial and environmental legislation. Through this case, it appears that the consultancy, despite presenting itself as an alternative to fulfill the social function of the project, has difficulties of execution such as public bureaucracy, lack of resources, the predominance of the assistance character, and often, interests individuals and politicians against the guarantee of the right to housing. Thus, it can be said that, even though the resident is at the margin of decision-making processes, traditional housing policy still presents itself as the main option in accessing home ownership in Brazil.