The Right to the Slab: Social Life and Alternative Approaches to Spatial Perception
As architectural theory evolves through reassessment and modernization, there is a move away from established binary classifications present in both common perceptions and architectural education. Conventional dichotomies like center versus periphery, the distinction between the ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ city, and the contrast between design as a strict methodology versus construction as a form of improvisation have long been central themes in architecture, sparking continuous debates. Despite the predominance of perspectives from the global north dictating the standards of good architecture and its approach, the intricate, diverse, and multidimensional nature of reality consistently challenges these notions.
In this context, the favela emerges as a prime illustration of this phenomenon. Beyond mere considerations of urban layout, including elements such as street patterns, building division, and construction techniques that encompass material selection and the complexities of erecting structures on uneven ground, these areas showcase unique characteristics. Notably, the utilization of slabs in construction introduces a level of adaptability in building conventions, fostering unconventional interactions with the urban environment. These distinct attributes defy traditional architectural norms and open avenues to reevaluate the fundamental principles underpinning architectural ‘best practices.’
It is essential to emphasize that this discussion does not seek to glorify social and structural instability or suggest that the living conditions in marginalized communities are satisfactory for their residents. Urban revitalization, structural safety, environmental well-being, and accessibility are universal principles that should guide architectural design approaches and governmental policies impacting the urban landscape. The core inquiry revolves around the flexibility of construction elements, their utilization, and the potential for reshaping the relationship between individuals and the space they inhabit, along with its purpose, responsiveness to occupants’ needs, and functionality. In light of this, what lessons can spontaneous architecture (which operates outside formal academic knowledge) impart to ‘official,’ institutionalized architecture?
To begin with, let’s consider the versatile nature of specific architectural elements, such as the slab. While conventionally serving as a structural element capable of functioning as either a floor or a roof, in the ‘informal’ urban setting, its role transcends these traditional uses. The necessity for vertical construction, driven by housing density and the challenges posed by uneven terrain, transforms the utilitarian roof into a multifunctional space that is integral to the social life and daily routines of residents. Typically designated as a residential rooftop, it also serves as a functional floor for various domestic activities, accommodating external, recreational, or service-related functions. This area can be utilized for tasks like drying clothes, housing water tanks, or installing antennas.
Despite its primary function as a functional covering, the role of the slab in more vulnerable neighborhoods differs from its counterparts in standard developments. In conventional settings, terraces (or rooftops) typically serve a specific purpose and are equipped with amenities such as recreational areas, gardens, pergolas, barbecue spots, and entertainment rooms. In contrast, slabs in marginalized neighborhoods fulfill multiple functions simultaneously, catering to leisure activities while supporting essential household functions like plumbing installations and domestic services.
Moreover, the slab serves as a thoroughfare. Given the porous boundaries between public and private spaces in peripheral communities, access to the slabs often directly connects to the street. This blurring of distinctions transforms slabs into pathways, utilized as thoroughfares or escape routes during law enforcement pursuits. An intriguing adaptation involves raising the street level and converting the slab into a street or sidewalk. Due to narrow or steep ground-level streets that hinder vehicular movement, transporting furniture or bulky items becomes challenging. In response, residents ingeniously navigate these obstacles by transporting objects over houses, across the slabs, linked by makeshift and temporary bridges. This approach resembles navigating a labyrinth, connecting two points without adhering to a predefined layout, potentially resulting in a unique configuration with its own distinct characteristics.
The status of the slab is notably unique in its adaptability, to the extent that the space is perceived as an independent unit. At times, the slab transitions into a self-sufficient residence, detached from its original foundation, either housing members of the same family or being sold between unrelated individuals. This secondary real estate market carries significant social implications, prompting the introduction of a temporary measure in 2016. Subsequently formalized into law the following year and further regulated by decree in 2018, the objective was to officially recognize the slab and include it in the roster of rights delineated in the Civil Code.
From a legal standpoint, this acknowledgment signifies that the Civil Code now validates the legitimacy of the slab as a tradable real estate entity, aiming to formalize transactions that were already occurring at the fringes of the existing social framework. This validation addresses the repercussions of neglecting or overlooking specific social groups, neighborhoods, and rigid definitions of what constitutes an ideal city. While this inclusion holds significance, particularly within the traditionally conservative and slow-to-adapt legal domain, its impact may be constrained if not accompanied by social, economic, and urban support. The legal recognition of the right to the slab entails its registration with the municipality, subjecting it to fiscal obligations, without necessarily enhancing the socio-economic conditions of the owner. The financial burden imposed by taxation on the owner varies based on their economic vulnerability, potentially exerting a disproportionate strain on their finances compared to wealthier property holders. Furthermore, if the legal acknowledgment of the right to the slab is not complemented by concurrent urban enhancements and if the generated revenue fails to contribute to improving spatial quality, the legal measure could inadvertently evolve into a mechanism that perpetuates precarity and oppression.
The ongoing evolution of the slab exemplifies alternative approaches to urban habitation. When the adaptability of the slab—juggling roles as a floor and a roof, leisure and plumbing area, laundry space and recreational spot, primary residence and secondary dwelling, thoroughfare and residential unit—becomes a normalized facet of everyday life and gains official recognition in the legal realm, it serves as compelling evidence that space is shaped by its inhabitants. The space adjusts to the immediate requirements of the occupant and should not be rigidly confined to conform to a pre-established structure. The continuous metamorphosis of the slab is a product of dynamic arrangements and negotiations, reflecting the broader dynamics at play within the entire city.