The suitability of sustainable retrofitting means for shopping malls,in an environmental and urban background. A resume of the methodology

Abstract

The current paper shows the resume of a methodology of application, developed in the paper´s author PHD thesis, showing an overview of the methodology structure, being also included the first results of the case study. The research was focused on the analysis of different means of sustainable retrofitting applied to shopping malls buildings, considering both features of urban background and building conditions (eco efficiency of building, nature and environment capabilities, uses, and current state of the urban surroundings towards urban eco efficiency). Eight cases of study were chosen, placed in different areas in the cities of Sao Paulo, Madrid, and suburban USA. According to the methodology established, the results achieved show that the means of retrofitting for the shopping malls studied, must be aimed to insert green regenerative elements in the background of the dense and complex urban areas of Sao Paulo and Madrid. As contrast to this, in the Suburban USA, retrofitting operations must be focused on the densification and insertion of uses complexity within the urban surroundings