São Paulo, like many other urban centers worldwide, grapples with a stark contrast in living conditions and spatial inequity between various income groups. Nowhere is this divide more evident than in the sprawling favela areas, where marginalized individuals face numerous challenges in their daily lives. The existing housing in these areas often lack essential amenities, basic infrastructure, and a sense of community. This spatial inequity and social injustice perpetuate a cycle of poverty and exclusion.

In this context, there is a pressing need to explore innovative architectural design solutions that not only enhance living conditions but also foster inclusive communities within São Paulo’s favela areas. The overarching goal is to bridge the gap between different income groups, create opportunities for marginalized individuals, and address the systemic issues that perpetuate this divide. This research aims to investigate how architecture can be leveraged as a tool for social change, aiming to improve the quality of life for residents in these underserved communities.

To achieve this, the research will delve into various aspects of architectural design, urban planning, and community engagement to identify strategies that can empower marginalized individuals, promote inclusivity, and create environments that are conducive to social and economic advancement. By addressing these challenges through architectural innovation, this research seeks to contribute to a more equitable and just urban landscape in Sao Paulo, offering valuable insights that can be applied to similar contexts worldwide.
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More than 3 billion plastic bags are consumed every day in China, posing a huge challenge for solid waste management. And scientists estimate that online food delivery businesses in China generated 1.6 million tons of packaging waste in 2017, nine times more than two years ago. This includes 1.2 million tons of plastic boxes, 175,000 tons of disposable chopsticks, 164,000 tons of plastic bags, and 44,000 tons of plastic spoons(Raymond Zhong & Carolyn Zhang, 2019) Despite the Chinese government's implementation of a "plastic ban" in 2008 and the issuance of guidelines by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in early 2020 to further strengthen plastic pollution control (also known as the new "plastic ban"), many people still use plastic bags in their daily lives, especially for takeaway food.
The take-away industry in China has grown rapidly in recent years, but related take-away waste recycling measures are inadequate, so understanding the implementation of government policies and people's behavior regarding the use of such materials is key to reducing take-away waste. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the socio-demographic, economic, housing, social participation, and environmental perception factors that influence households' use of single-use plastic bags or reusable items when ordering takeaway food, as well as changes in government policies for the recycling and disposal of take-away waste.
The study found that take-out waste includes not only plastic packaging but also food residue, which indirectly increases the difficulty of recycling. So this paper focuses on government policies, recycling strategies and public feedback, and based on these results, implications for policymakers and suggestions for further future study are offered.
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