Self-constructed buildings vulnerability

the case of Cova da Moura district

Abstract

In the metropolitan area of Lisbon there is an urban cluster - Bairro Alto da Cova da Moura, with unique characteristics, usually identified as a place socially problematic and with great building anarchy that resulted of the self built, but with a vast potential in cultural and social dynamics.Despite the constructive uncharacterized, and the vulnerability of the building, especially against the action of earthquakes, is no doubt that this neighborhood can be an good contribution to the understanding of sustainability at a European level, representing an important heritage to preserve.In this paper, is presented the characterization of the buildings of this neighborhood as well as a set of construction anomalies, which lead to the vulnerability of these buildings.