Apartments already occupy a built area larger than that of houses in São Paulo, which turns 468 this Tuesday (25), according to a 2021 survey by the Center for Metropolis Studies, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo.
In 2000, the constructed area of houses was 158.4 million m² and that of residences in buildings, 104.2 million m². Twenty years later, apartments occupy 190.4 million m² and houses, 183.7 million m².
It's the biggest difference since 2016, the year in which apartments first appeared ahead in this regard.
In terms of units, there are still more houses (1,376,726), but the number of apartments (1,375,884) grew by 87% from 2000 to 2020, while the number of houses rose by 12%.
Verticalization is a trend that has been observed for decades. Thus, the process predates the 2014 Master Plan and the 2016 Zoning Law.
Having more buildings, however, is not synonymous with increasing population density.
Verticalization can reduce density in regions with buildings that have many common areas and few, large apartments that have higher values.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon