2003 Volume 68 Issue 571 Pages 93-99
This paper analyzed and compared the POE (Post-Occupancy Evaluation) undertaken in Brazil and a Japanese method of user participation as potential methods for improving the quality of open spaces in living environments. The findings were that especially in the Japanese participatory approach, where the residents have a direct participation in the definition of improvements or in the design process, the results are better and showed that there was: (1) Creation of a sense of community: where the residents improved their relationship with other residents, learning how to work in group and for the group. (2) Creation of a sense of responsibility: where the residents understood their role in the community and that they are responsible for their own living environment. Those features are essential for the maintenance, use and future improvements of the living environment.
