Settlement patterns in the eastern coast of Maracaibo Lake, Venezuela : evaluation of existing settlements and model for a low income sector of El Menito new town

Abstract

This thesis is divided in two parts; The First part is the physical analysis of residential settlements in the Eastern Coast of Maracaibo Lake, Venezuela. The work is based on surveys, evaluations and comparisons of four identifiable housing systems of the area which are Old settlements, Oil Company Housing, Squatter Settlements and Public Housing. The physical environment of each of these is analyzed in terms of land utilization/circulation efficiency and level of services. Based on the first part of the study a model is proposed for a residential area of El Menito New Town which is planned to be constructed in the surrounding area. The criterion followed to establish the layout for the model are explained/drawn as design guidelines. Finally, a comparative evaluation of the model and the analyzed residential settlements is made to show how the model achieves a consistent efficiency in land utilization/circulation efficiency.