Housing in Historic Centers and Urban Vitality: dynamics of the center of Florianópolis

Abstract

The issues related to the emptying and deterioration of historic centers are increasingly discussed in urban
studies. In this context, the analysis of the role of housing use in the vitality of these spaces and the growing
tertiary specialization are always present. Deepening this problematic, this paper aims to problematize the
relations between urban vitality and housing in the historic center of Florianópolis. The methods used
comprise the mapping of census data, research and mapping of land uses and characterization of the main
existing housing typologies. Moreover, the information is crossed with the co-presence and appropriation of its
public places of collective use. The results show the expressive absence of housing, related to the
specialization in the tertiary sector. This phenomenon results in the desertification of the area during noncommercial
hours, which significantly affects the pre-existing conditions of urban vitality.

Keywords: urban vitality, housing, historical centerse, Florianópolis.