Jane Jacobs' 'Eyes on the Street' Concept Applied to Contemporary Brazilian Residential Architecture
In the early 1960s, Jane Jacobs introduced the influential concept of “eyes on the street,” promoting urban designs that enhance safety through visibility. This idea inspired Vienna's Gender Department in the 1990s to implement “social eyes” in housing projects like Frauen-Werk-Stadt I, II, and III, enabling parents to monitor their children from kitchen windows. The 2014 Heliópolis Social Housing in São Paulo incorporated similar designs with open courtyards. Additionally, Paudalho’s Popular Houses feature low walls and porches to foster street interaction. However, many contemporary Brazilian homes are isolated from public spaces due to stringent regulations.
Key facts
- Jane Jacobs introduced the 'eyes on the street' concept in the early 1960s.
- Vienna's Frauen-Werk-Stadt I, II, and III were designed in the 1990s with a gender perspective, applying 'social eyes.'
- Heliópolis Social Housing in São Paulo was completed in 2014.
- House 711H in Brasília features retractable perforated panels on its front facade.
- Casa 4x30 in São Paulo has no wall or fence separating public and private spaces.
- The article was originally published on March 13, 2024, and updated on September 20, 2026.
- Most contemporary Brazilian residential architecture is disconnected from public spaces due to urban planning regulations and tall walls.
- The Paudalho Popular Houses use low walls and a covered open living space beneath the front porch.
Entities
Artists
- Jane Jacobs
- Camilla Ghisleni
- Diogo Simões
Institutions
- ARQLAB
- Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos
- Bloco Arquitetos
- NEBR arquitetura
- CR2 Arquitetura
- FGMF
- City of Vienna Gender Department
- ArchDaily
Locations
- Brazil
- São Paulo
- Brasília
- Paudalho
- Vienna
- Austria