Aspectos do microclima da favela Tito Silva, João Pessoa/PB

Abstract

Urban growth in Brazil has occurred unevenly, reflecting the interests of specific groups. One of the most visible consequences of this process has been an increase in the number of irregular occupations, commonly known as slum. These urban areas, characterized by precarious infrastructure and housing, have particular microclimatic conditions aggravated by low quality of life indices. The study of the influence of the urban environment on the microclimate and quality of life in favelas has both scientific and social relevance. This work is in line with the social approach of geographical climate analysis, in order to carry out microclimate experiments in environments with great spatial and environmental discrepancies in social vulnerability. It is hypothesized that changes in meteorological variables related to human thermal comfort are more intense and frequent in slum environments, when compared to environments with higher socioeconomic standards. The methodological approach was structured in five stages: i. Selection of the study area ii. Drawing up the social vulnerability map, iii. Drawing up the land use and occupation map, iv. Measuring the climatic elements and v. Application of the human thermal comfort index. The Miramar neighborhood, where the Tito Silva slum is located in the city of João Pessoa (PB), is a representative of the approach used. The climate elements (temperature and relative humidity) were measured in 2022. The climatic elements were measured simultaneously at selected points within the favela environment and outside it. Thermo-hygrometers were used in mini meteorological shelters, during two different periods of the city's climatic seasonality. The main results showed that the highest temperature values were recorded at the points located inside the slum environment. This environment also recorded a higher frequency of heat discomfort values, especially during the hot, dry season. We also found that the environment outside the favela is more adapted to temperature variations. This means that environments with higher socio-economic standards have characteristics that contribute to temperature regulation.