Sustainable attributes valuation in multi-family buildings in four cities in Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Construction is primarily responsible for the built environment. However, the built environment entails major environmental impacts. In order to reduce these impacts, sustainable buildings and the green market are emerging. However, it is necessary to investigate the sustainable user and the preference for green market products in the construction sector, in order to create consumer-facing products. The present study aims to investigate the preference and valuation of residents of four cities in southern Brazil in relation to presence of sustainable items in multifamily housing, seeking to understand whether, at the time of the decision to choose a property, they consider these items as determinant requirements for the choice. The method is based on the application of a questionnaire to the residents of the cities analyzed. As a result, it was observed that sustainable attributes are not considered determinant at the time of choice. The interviewees pointed out the area of the property, number of rooms, neighborhood and position of the housing unit in relation to the sun as determining factors. Also, as for pricing, the determining factor is the finishing materials. Among the items considered sustainable, the most valued were those that provide a reduction in water and energy consumption. It is concluded that, for the group studied, there is still no perception of the importance of civil construction for environmental sustainability. It is necessary that environmental education reinforces the role of buildings in the environmental impacts of Society.