What is requalification? Principles and concepts

What is requalification? Its term, in the civil construction sector, is just over twenty years old. Although recently, it is possible to see projects of requalification of houses or buildings all over the sector. However, it still raises some questions. What is requalification and what is the difference between this concept and rehabilitation?

For those who are starting out in the area or are curious and want to know a little more about the construction sector, especially in the urban context, it is important to understand what is requalification, or regeneration.

 

What is requalification?

 

Requalification: Requalification, mainly in the context of urban requalification, consists of a set of actions and measures that seek to promote the life of the urban spaces. How? Through the promotion of the requalification of houses and buildings, the promotion of employment, and the architecture of the accesses and spaces of the urban area. The requalification is often compared with regeneration, or “revitalization” (English term) since it seeks to give a new life to the space and daily life of its residents.

Urban rehabilitation: Strongly linked to what is urban requalification, urban rehabilitation means, in the context of the civil construction sector, the execution of works for the recovery, conservation, and retrofitting of houses, buildings, and urban spaces. It must respect the architectural character of the buildings and, in the end, it comes down to the functional revitalization of urban spaces since its objective is to improve the lives of those who live there and make them more attractive for those who can visit them.

 

In addition to the differences between both concepts, it is important to understand what requalification is in terms of its impact on urban space:

  • Economic aspects: An urban requalification leads to the alteration and promotion of economic aspects to those who live in the houses and buildings of the area. The objective of economic requalification is to create and maintain an economic activity that allows the inclusion of the people who live in these spaces.
  • Social aspects: No less important, an urban requalification brings social impacts, promoting the gentrification of classes with greater economic power, and increasing the social mobility of spaces.

What is requalification?

 

Although only applied in Portugal since 1998 – with the concept that is known – there is an important impact on the lives of the people, houses, and buildings in which it operates. Therefore, a requalification is a complex and diversified project that seeks to rehabilitate, revitalize and increase the urban space, containing all these concepts.

At Castro Group, we help to clarify concepts, enhance the spaces where we operate and develop projects with the aim of improving and creating an impact on the lives of its users. For more information contact us through our website.

Back to the top