Acoustic Design in Urban Development : analysis of urban soundscapes and acoustic ecology research in New York City

The world is urbanizing rapidly with more than half of the global population now living in cities. Improving urban environments for the well-being of the increasing number of urban citizens is becoming one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. Even though it is common that city planners have visions of a ’good urban milieu’, those visions are concerning visual aesthetics or practical matters. The qualitative perspective of sound, such as sonic diversity and acoustic ecology are neglected aspects in architectural design. Urban planners and politicians are therefore largely unaware of the importance of sounds for the intrinsic quality of a place. Whenever environmental acoustics is on the agenda, the topic is noise abatement or noise legislation – a quantitative attenuation of sounds. Some architects may involve acoustical aspects in their work but sound design or acoustic design has yet to develop to a distinct discipline and be incorporated in urban planning.My aim was to investigate to what extent the urban soundscape is likely to improve if modern architectural techniques merge with principles of acoustics. This is an important, yet unexplored, research area. My study explores and analyses the acoustical aspects in urban development and includes interviews with practitioners in the field of urban acoustics, situated in New York City. My conclusion is that to achieve a better understanding of the human living conditions in mega-cities, there is a need to include sonic components into the holistic sense of urban development.

Caminhos que estruturam cidades: redes técnicas de transporte sobre trilhos e a conformação intra-urbana de Natal

The railroad, from 1870 and on, becomes an usual complaining in the press s and politician elite s speeches, especially because of Natal s geographic isolation. The implantation of two railroads in the capital territory Estrada de Ferro de Natal a Nova Cruz, afterwards part of Great Western Railway Company network, and Estrada de Ferro Central do Rio Grande do Norte had serious implications in the urban environment. While railroad s structures were already consolidated, other transportation mechanisms were being implanted in the first decades of the 20th century, such as trams lines, which, by the way, was a transport modal that also used rails as a dislocation meaning. Considering these questions, we may ask: how come railroads and tramways demands, roads and buildings had influenced the internal organization of Natal? We work with the general hypothesis that the influence of technical networks, composed by tramways and railroads, over Natal s urban space happened in a diversified way, sometimes consolidating social aspects in certain areas, sometimes improving the occupation of others. The impact over the city s territory also happens in a diversified way between the buildings/railroad s complexes and the pathways. The different scale of the train in comparison to the trams velocity, size, noise level, flow, among others is also a cause to the different consequences in urban environment. The main objective of this work is to understand the role of circulation technical networks in the construction process of urban space in Natal, as a way to contribute to the urban historiography about the subject. The time frame adopted, between 1881 and 1937, marks the time path of railroads and tramways in Rio Grande do Norte: 1881 is the year of railroad s first section inauguration from Natal to São José do Mipibu as well of the railroad complex in the Republic Square in Natal; the year of 1937 marks the beginning of tramways declination process in the city. At this time railroads and tramways had to face more intensively the competition of motor vehicles. The theory reference adopted is based on concepts and analysis of authors, such as Flávio Villaça and Roberto Lobato Corrêa references to the concepts of urban structure , localization and accessibility and Gabriel Dupuy to explain the concept of urban technical networks . These references reveal the conflict of different realities in the urban universe interests and values which is an important factor about the construction of urban space. The information sources used were from two distinctive natures: primary, journals of the time studied and official government reports, and secondary, based on other works about the subject. It was also used by this study iconographic source, especially images from the data base of the research group História da Cidade, do Território e do Urbanismo .

A produção capitalista do espaço: os loteamentos, os condomínios fechados e o seu papel na formação do Bairro de Nova Parnamirim/Parnamirim-RN

This work exposed desired to investigate the function of evolution of closed allotment, of market of the earth and of forms of extraction of the lace of earth, in the processes capitalist production of urban space in Nova Parnamirim, community of Parnamirim/RN. This tendentious urbanization were marked for an expressive increase of number of horizontal and vertical closed residences joint ownership concerning at social groups more privileged financial position. Go after, set off, a temporal investigation, based in the forms of appropriation of space in the middle intermediate by action of the several producers agent of capitalist capital. This way, make necessary understand the past of local structure earth, in order that to make possible analyze the beginning of the process. Not enough, appealed the publics institutions as immobile notary s office and secretary municipal for to collect the more important information, and in the field through of application of formulary together the population of ward, in order that of examine the motivation of residential establishment inside. Make this, confirmed that the actual spatial organization of ward of Nova Parnamirim started of two allotments: the Vale do Pitimbú Park and Eucaliptos Park, both divided in several little allotments. Before of begin the ward, allotments reproduced set off from that native has been consigned during the 80, 90 decade s and begin the actual century, resigning a complicated urban structure earth, dynamized by exploration of a promising residential area. Leashed of this, confirmed the installation of logic of segregation and auto-segregation conducted by an immobile market which exclude the poor class and absorb rich class, motivate by perspective of obtaining of urban lace of earth by immobile promoter. However, perceived that the growth this market was promoted by migration of groups of capital, interior of state and others regions of country. Not distant, horizontal and vertical closed residences represent production forms of a new form of residence, corresponding the pattern architectonic as socioeconomics, strengthened by ideal of security, quality of life, necessity of reclusion and of proximity of Natal. Is in the capital which this individual found possibilities of attend satisfactory minimum of yours necessity in relation a consumption of bens and specialized and specifics services. Before this qualitative perceive that the social and spacial differential of Nova Parnamirim was the responsible by soil and habitation valorization of ward, that reinforce the promotion of segregation and of auto-segregation, and consequently, of capitalist reproduction of urban space

Reductions in the Prevalence and Incidence of Geohelminth Infections following a City-wide Sanitation Program in a Brazilian Urban Centre

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A mobilidade urbana em questão: um olhar sobre a cidade de Viçosa - MG

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A ocorrência de policentralidade em Teresina-PI: formação de um subcentro urbano na região Sudeste

Pós-graduação em Geografia - IGCE

Espaço urbano, desigualdade e indicadores de dimensões da sustentabilidade: análise de Formosa-GO

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Infraestrutura verde como prática sustentável para subsidiar a elaboração de planos de drenagem urbana: estudo de caso da cidade de Tupã/SP

Pós-graduação em Geografia - FCT

Competitività in sostenibilità urbana e territoriale. L’Emilia Romagna, regione d’Europa

The thesis in Urban and Regional Geography titled “URBAN AND TERRITORIAL COMPETITIVENESS IN SUSTAINABILITY. EMILIA-ROMAGNA, REGION OF EUROPE” is divided into two sections. Section one is additionally composed by two chapters (chap. 1 and 2) and deals with theoretical and gnosiological issues. Section two, of two more chapters (chap. 3 and 4), provides practical contributions: these issues give explanatory patterns to interpret the performances of emiliano-romagnoli urban systems. Chapter one is an introductory chapter. It analyzes globalization that involves a larger and larger number of cities, rich or poor. It also considers the so called “digital divide” either as one of the major phenomena of this unhomogeneous development or as an interesting gnosiological and practical challenge of geography. Globalization is now involving all the cities, large or small, but the small ones have higher risks of exclusion: it depends on their more fragile socio-economic, cultural, and environmental urban structure. That’s why European Union (chapter two) promotes policies and endows politics to sustain cities, because urban systems are the basis for the territorial development. So, European, national and local Institutions are firmly interested in promoting urban and local interventions and projects. Section two deals with economic-geography methods, which consists on collecting indicators and the benchmarking methodology. It also specifically analyzes the urban systems of Emilia-Romagna. Consequences of the globalization on the cities are interpreted with a study of their local resources, intended as potentials for their development. The STeMA approach, proposed by Professor Maria Prezioso (University of Roma, “Tor Vergata”) and used by the ESPON (European Spatial Program Observation Network) project, describes the main “determinants” of the territorial and urban development. These are easily comparable to one another (similar or better performing). This approach achieves two goals. On one hand, it is possible to analyze every urban system in its all main characteristics and to preserve its historical and cultural factors. On another hand, each city is “knowable” and “understandable” by all scholars, as it is objectively comparable. So, urban planners can propose specific “multi-level” and “multi-varied” programs of governance. These will face globalization by exalting local empowerment.

Frost heave testing of norwegian materials for road infrastructure

In areas of seasonal frost, frost susceptibility composed by frost heaving during the winter and thaw softening during the spring is one of the most dangerous phenomenon for transportation, road and railway infrastructure. Therefore, the need for frost protection layer becomes imperative. The purpose of frost protection layer is to prevent frost from penetrating down through the pavement and into the sub-soils. Frost susceptible soils under the road can be cause damages on the roads or other structures due to frost heave or reduced capacity characteristics thaw period. "Frost heave" is the term given to the upwards displacement of the ground surface caused by the formation of ice within soils or aggregates (Rempel et al., 2004). Nowadays in Scandinavia the most common material used in frost protection layer in the pavement structure of roads and in the ballast of the railway tracks are coarse-grain crushed rocks aggregates. Based on the capillary rise, the mechanics of frost heave phenomenon is based on the interaction between aggregates and water, as suggested by Konrad and Lemieux in 2005 that said that the fraction of material below the 0.063 mm sieve for coarse-grained soils must be controlled so as to reduce the sensitivity to frost heave. The study conducted in this thesis project is divided in two parts: - the analysis of the coarse grained aggregates used in frost protection layer in Norway; - the analysis of the frost heave phenomenon in the laboratory under known boundary conditions, through the use of the most widely used method, the frost heave test, in” closed system” (without access of water).

Spatial divisions of society

The encounter of architecture and urbanism with parcelisation is marked with the sign of a historical debt. Parcelisation is a tremendously powerful design tool. Architecture and urban planning attest to its capacity to shape sociospatial relations across a range of scales and contexts. From Renaissance palazzi to modernist slabs, from nation-wide agrarian reforms and Haussmann’s Paris to Christopher Alexander’s new theory of urban design and Michael Webb’s Suitaloon — most of the historical revolutions and experimental projects that have shaken these fields have relied, consciously or not, on a critique and restructuration of inherited divisions of land and space. The layout of parcel patterns has a series of implications including forms of property, the divide between private and public realms, the distribution of spatial contents and uses through zoning, typological decisions and so forth. The behaviour of any urban structure depends on the tissue of plots that configures the urban fabric and many of the challenges urban design faces today —complexity, urban vitality, social equality, etc.— hinge upon the forms of land division and distribution we adopt.

Vacíos urbanos en la ciudad de Zaragoza (1975-2010). Oportunidades para la estructuración y continuidad urbana

La expansión de las ciudades hacia la periferia en las últimas décadas ha generado una serie de tejidos en colisión, donde los intersticios y los espacios residuales muestran la realidad de una ciudad dispersa. A esta serie de espacios intermedios los denominaremos “vacíos urbanos” y determinaremos una serie de factores que hagan posible su identificación Los vacíos urbanos son el objeto de la Tesis. El concepto “vacío urbano” adquiere un determinado significado para la investigación y se acota formulando una serie de parámetros para su definición. Definiremos los “vacíos urbanos” como espacios que han aparecido en el extrarradio de las ciudades, fruto de una expansión sin precedentes de las áreas urbanas. Han surgido como lugares residuales condicionados por elementos naturales o por infraestructuras, ligados a una temporalidad incierta, no inmersos en la dinámicas urbanas o habiendo perdido su funcionalidad. El objetivo de esta investigación es localizar y clasificar los vacíos existentes en la ciudad partiendo de la hipótesis de que es posible establecer una metodología para su reconocimiento y comprobación de los parámetros que los definen. La investigación centra su estudio en la ciudad de Zaragoza, como un ejemplo paradigmático, confirmando que la nueva fenomenología territorial, no sólo se manifiesta en dicha ciudad y en las áreas en concreto donde se ha estudiado, sino que más bien se trata de observarla como una serie de modelos tipológicos que respondan a un proceso de análisis. La propuesta metodológica de loa tesis pasa por reconocerlos, mostrarlos y darles una visibilidad que permita su clasificación, el desarrollo de un estudio de Áreas de la ciudad donde se localizan y un análisis de cada tipología de vacío urbano. Como instrumento metodológico se ha elaborado una detallada cartografía a diferentes escalas. La realización de los planos ha sido el medio de análisis que ha permitido localizar e interpretar los vacíos, complementado con unas escogidas fotografías de estos entornos. La metodología se convierte en un modo de descubrir y analizar los vacíos, el proceso conlleva la comprobación y la clasificación en una tipología. Según se han ido analizando nuevas áreas, se confirma como un hecho repetitivo exitoso y se observa que es aplicable a otras áreas urbanas de similares características, donde se den las condiciones principales de cada tipo. En general, deberán ser espacios localizados en la periferia de núcleos urbanos donde aparezcan fenómenos ligados a una expansión discontinua. Parece probable que el futuro de la ciudad se tenga que resolver en las próximas décadas sobre su actual extensión; bajo este supuesto, es trascendente la función que los vacíos puedan desempeñar en el futuro desarrollo urbano. Toda posibilidad de intervención precisará de una necesaria reinterpretación, puestas las miras en su potencial como elementos capaces de generar una rehabilitación urbana. A su vez se hace conveniente plantear una reflexión sobre estos espacios cargados de una dimensión social y cultural, como lugares capaces de articular y dotar de identidad al medio urbano. Los vacíos deberían protagonizar un papel relevante en la estructuración urbana, abriendo posibilidades para el tramado de la ciudad desde nuevas perspectivas. Una apuesta para que estos espacios libres pasen de ser el objetivo de procesos urbanizadores tradicionales, a ser considerados como oportunos elementos vertebradores de los entornos periurbanos, colaborando en el objetivo de una ciudad contemporánea sostenible. ABSTRACT In the last decades the city periphary expansion has provoked a series of matters to collide, where interstices and waste lands show the reality of a divided city. We shall determine a number of factors allowing us to treat these “in between” spaces, also called "urban voids" as identifiable elements. We will consider them the subject of the thesis and establish them as a "concept", delimiting the meaning of the research specifically acquired, defining, and formulating a set of parameters. "Urban voids" are defined as spaces that have appeared on the outskirts of cities, the result of an unprecedented expansion of urban areas. They have emerged as waste lands, conditioned by natural elements or infrastructure, related to uncertain temporality, not immersed in the urban dynamics, or having lost their functionality. It seems likely that in the upcoming decades, the future of the city will have to resolve its current way of expanding . It is under this assumption that urban voids, as intermediate spaces, will play an important role in future urban developments. Any possible intervention will require a necessary reinterpretation, closely watching their potential as elements capable of generating an urban rehabilitation. At the same time, we wish to reflect on these spaces, in many cases loaded with a social and cultural dimension, as places able to articulate and give identity to the urban environment. Based on the hypothesis that it is possible to establish a methodology for recognition and verification, the purpose of this research is to locate and classify the existing urban voids in the city. The research focuses its study on the city of Saragossa which can be seen as a paradigmatic example. The objective is to confirm that this new territorial phenomenology, not only manifests itself in Saragossa and specific areas under study, but also, can be observed as a series of typological models that respond to a review process. The methodological proposal will recognize, demonstrate, and exhibit these urban voids, in a light that will allow us to classify them, examine the different areas where they can be found, and develop a tipology analysis of each type of urban void found. The technical tool used in this research is a detailed mapping at different scales. A realization of plans, as a mean of analysis, supplemented with a few selected pictures of these environments, will facilitate the location and interpretation of these voids. This scholarly approach to discover and analyze urban voids will involve checking and classifying them in a typology. It has been confirmed as a successful constant regulator while exploring new areas. It will be apply to other urban areas with similar characteristics, that is, spaces located on the periphery of urban areas where expansion is linked to the appearence of discontinuous phenomena. The urban voids play a fundamental role within the urban structure, providing the city a weaving scheme with opportunities of fresh perspectives. The challenge for these free spaces is to move from being the consequence of traditional urban development processes, to being considered opportune backbone elements of peri-urban environments, and to finally contribute to the objectives of a sustainable contemporary city.

La espacialidad del encuentro. Análisis de las comunidades de los conjuntos habitacionales modernos en el caso chileno del Gran Valparaíso

La producción habitacional moderna chilena del siglo xx proporcionó modelos valiosos en los que abundaban espacios proclives al encuentro de la comunidad que, además, han logrado perdurar en el tiempo. Sin embargo, el estado de degradación en que se encuentran algunos de estos conjuntos ha puesto en entredicho sus cualidades efectivas para resolver el problema de la vivienda, tanto por su racionalidad excesiva como por su escasa capacidad para acoger los modos de vida propios de sus habitantes. A día de hoy, ante la masificación indiscriminada del mercado inmobiliario, cabe plantearse una mirada retrospectiva hacia algunos de estos conjuntos que mediaron entre la renovación y la realidad local preexistente, como ocurrió en algunos contextos geográficos complejos como el ‘Gran Valparaíso’. Las ciudades de Valparaíso y Viña del Mar destacan por su peculiar morfología urbana entre planicie y cerros, conformada tanto por construcciones espontáneas como planificadas, generalmente adaptadas a la geografía. La aparición de nuevos modelos en altura en los cerros tuvo consecuencias significativas para la escala del barrio y la ciudad, como la apropiación del patrimonio común de los ciudadanos —la vista hacia el paisaje de la bahía— y un cierto descontrol en las relaciones entre lo construido y su entorno inmediato. Dicha situación se tradujo en la deshumanización de los espacios colectivos y la pérdida del ‘sentido de lo comunitario’, dos situaciones propias del habitar local. Sin embargo, algunos conjuntos modernos dieron importancia a este tipo de espacios, que utilizaron como complemento a los reducidos recintos comunes de la unidad habitacional. Así, mediante la integración de circulaciones, espacios comunitarios y dotaciones, se estimuló la ‘comunidad’ y se favoreció la relación socio-espacial entre la vecindad y el barrio. El hecho de que en su implantación recogiesen cualidades locales —o no— requiere de un estudio más exhaustivo, especialmente en lo que toca a los modos de vida asociados. Esta tesis presenta la trayectoria y el proceso de desarrollo comunitario de siete conjuntos habitacionales modernos construidos en Valparaíso y Viña del Mar. Una evolución que estuvo impulsada por las cualidades formales y funcionales de los espacios comunes, profundamente arraigados al lugar. A través de un análisis retrospectivo de los ámbitos de encuentro y la trayectoria de la vida cotidiana, y construido desde la documentación junto con los recuerdos de los habitantes originarios, este trabajo revisa el estado actual de dichos conjuntos, sus singularidades y los cambios que han experimentado en el tiempo. ABSTRACT The twentieth century’s Chilean modern housing production has provided valuable models in which abounded spaces likely to community encounter, that also have managed to survive over time. However, some modern housing complexes exhibit an evident state of deterioration, that contradicts their characteristics for solving housing problems, both for its excessive rationality as their limited capacity to accommodate the ways of life of its inhabitants. However while the housing market has established a model based on standardization and individuality, an evaluation of the real characteristics of the main modern constructions is required, that mediate between the renewal and the existing local reality especially in cities emplaced in geographic complexes such as the ‘Gran Valparaíso’. The cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are notable for its unique urban morphology between flat land and hills, formed both by spontaneous as planned constructions, generally adapted to the geography. The emergence of these new height models, particularly in the hills, had significant consequences at neighborhood and city. On the one hand has implied ownership of the common heritage of the people —the view of the landscape of the bay— and on the other hand have devalued the relationship between the built and the immediate environment. That situation even involved the dehumanization of collective spaces and loss of ‘sense of community’, both part of the local ways of live. However some modern collective housing gave importance to such spaces as a way to address the lack of common spaces in the dwelling unit. Through the integration of circulations, community spaces and endowments, ‘community’ was stimulated and socio-spatial relationship between vicinity and the neighborhood was favored. The fact that in its implementation to collect local qualities —or not— requires further study, especially in terms of associated lifestyles. This thesis presents the trajectory and community development process of seven modern housing complexes built in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. As will be seen, without a doubt the formal and functional qualities of common spaces prompted the neighborhood’s evolution, deeply rooted in place.. Through a built from the documentation with the memories of the original inhabitants retrospective analysis of the areas of encounter and experience of everyday life, this research reviews the current status of these sets, their singularities and the changes that have experienced over time.

Thermal characterization of urban heat island (UHI) according to urban morphology of Madrid

Present research is framed within the project MODIFICA (MODelo predictivo - edIFIcios - Isla de Calor Urbana) aimed at developing a predictive model for dwelling energy performance under the urban heat island effect in order to implement it in the evaluation of real energy demand and consumption of dwellings as well as in the selection of energy retrofitting strategies. It is funded by Programa de I+D+i orientada a los retos de la sociedad 'Retos Investigación' 2013. The scope of our predictive model is defined by the heat island effect (UHI) of urban structures that compose the city of Madrid. In particular, we focus on the homogeneous areas for urban structures with the same urban and building characteristics. Data sources for the definition of such homogeneous areas were provided by previous research on the UHI of Madrid. The objective is to establish a critical analysis of climate records used for energy simulation tools, which data come from weather stations placed in decontextualized areas from the usual urban reality, where the thermal conditions differs by up to 6ºC. In this way, we intend to develop a new predictive model for the consumption and demand in buildings depending on their location, the urban structure and the associated UHI, improving the future energy rehabilitation interventions

Ergociudad: concepción modélica de la calidad de vida urbana desde la perspectiva de la ergonomía y el diseño urbano

Este documento corresponde a la Tesis para optar al grado de Doctor en Arquitectura y Urbanismo en el marco del Programa de Doctorado conjunto de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y la Universidad de Chile. La investigación realizada es de carácter exploratorio-descriptivo con el propósito de establecer y relacionar conceptualmente las teorías y principios de la ergonomía y del diseño urbano, para proponer desde un enfoque sistémico criterios de confort en el diseño de la ciudad, que contribuyan a la calidad de vida y la vida urbana, dando a luz lineamientos para la “Ergociudad”; concepto que surge de la unión de las palabras Ergonomía y Ciudad. Al estudiar a diversos autores se concluye en la carencia de referentes de confort y de políticas basados en la relación empírica del ser humano en la ciudad que posibiliten la configuración del medio ambiente urbano a partir de ella. La ciudad se piensa y se construye desde su estructura y no desde una mirada sistémica e integrada de los factores dimensionales, ambientales y psicosociales condicionantes del confort en sus distintas escalas. La mirada respecto del desarrollo de la ciudad es físico constructiva y, por tanto, deja de lado el problema de los estresores o de la percepción de los factores de riesgo en el entorno construido. El tema central de esta tesis es proponer una estructura modélica de calidad de vida urbana denominada Ergociudad en base a los fundamentos teóricos de la Ergonomía y el Diseño Urbano y establecer el “Índice Ergourbano”, como representación de los factores ergonómicos presentes en la ciudad. En este marco, el enfoque de la ergonomía y sus prestaciones han sido trabajados en orden a facilitar mecanismos para disponer de sus procedimientos y de su modelo de análisis relacional a otras escalas. El concepto de “Ergociudad” y su propuesta de exploración desde las personas, postula una mirada sobre los problemas que enfrenta el ser humano en la ciudad considerando la dimensión de lo humano, desde perspectivas psicológicas y sociológicas para establecer y configurar la percepción de estrés y bienestar; la dimensión de lo urbano, representada por los objetos que componen el entorno (en sus distintas escalas); y, la dimensión de lo perceptual, que definiría el concepto de confort en la forma de comprender el mundo sensorial. Los resultados de la investigación confirman la hipótesis de trabajo en términos de demostrar que la percepción de disconfort en la ciudad reflejado en un índice de evaluación perceptual espacial denominado índice Ergourbano obtenido de las mediciones en situ de los factores ergonómicos del entorno. Los resultados finales de la tesis han permitido identificar variables afines en los aspectos espaciales y perceptuales. Ello mediante la exploración de las situaciones urbanas y sus conexiones para establecer el grado de adecuación del espacio urbano a las prácticas, usos y modos de las personas en la ciudad. Una vez aplicado y validado el método desarrollado se ha llegado a obtener información suficiente para aumentar el nivel de conocimiento sobre el espacio urbano con un enfoque relacional que permite entenderlo desde la experiencia de las personas que lo habitan, insistiendo en su aporte metodológico y proyectual considerando la inexistente aplicación de información que vincule la ergonomía a esta escala urbana. ABSTRACT This document corresponds to the thesis to obtain the degree of Doctor of Architecture and Urbanism in the framework of the combined doctorate program of the Technical University of Madrid and the University of Chile. The research carried out is of a descriptive–explanatory nature with the objective of establishing and conceptually relating the theories and principals of ergonomics (or human factors) and urban design. This is done in order to propose, from a systematic focus, comfort criteria in the design of cities that contribute to quality of life and urban life, giving birth to chacteristics for “Ergocity”; concepts that arise from the union of the words ergonomic and city. After studying diverse authors, one concludes the lack of references toward comfort and policies based on the empirical relation of humans in the city that allow for the configuration of the urban environment based on comfort. The city is thought out and built from its structure and not from a systematic and integrated viewpoint of the dimensional, environmental and psychosocial factors, determining factors of comfort in its distinct scales. The view regarding the development of the city is physical constructive and, therefore, leaves aside the problem of the stress factors or the perception of risk factors in the constructed environment. The central theme of this thesis is to propose a quality model of urban life entitled Ergo-city, based on the fundamental theories of the ergonomics and urban design, and to establish an “Ergourban index” as representation of the ergonomic factors present in the city. In this framework, the focus of ergonomics and its services have been used in order to facilitate mechanisms to arrange their procedures and their model of relational analysis on other scales. The concept of “Ergocity”and its offer of exploration from a people perspective, proposes a look at the problems that humans face in the city considering the nonhuman dimension, from psychological and sociological perspectives to establish and configure la perception of stress and well-being: the urban dimension, represented by the objects that the surroundings are made up of (on their distinct scales), and the perceptual dimension, which will define the concept of comfort by means of understanding the sensorial world. The results of the research confirm the working hypothesis in terms of demonstrating the perception of discomfort in the city reflected in an index of perceptual/spatial evaluation named ergo-urban obtained from in situ measurements of the ergonomic factors of the surroundings. The final results of the thesis have permitted the identification the identification of variables related to the spatial and perceptual aspects. All of this through the exploration of the urban situations and their connections in order to establish the level of adaptation of the urban space to the practices, uses and modes of the people in the city. Once applied and validated, the method of development has led to the collection of sufficient information to increase the level of knowledge of the urban space with a relational focus that allows us to understand it from the experience of the people who inhabit said space, persisting with its methodological and projective contribution considering the inexistent application of information that links the ergonomics on an urban scale.