本論文從金融產業的產業概況介紹開始，以次級資料蒐集的方式對目前國內的金融體系、機構作一分類介紹，並進行產業分析，以瞭解合併的趨勢與成因；並以個案研究方法，分析個案銀行的基本資料與相關財務比率，歸納整理並簡單模擬合併後之可能情節。本論文選定的配對組合為「臺灣銀行、土地銀行及中央信託局」，因為這三家行局的組合是最常被報章雜誌點名的配對組合，亦是財政部大力推動的組合之一，同時被金融業界認為是本國銀行同業間合併具有指標性質的組合。 本論文採用CAMEL評等系統，選取下列的財務指標做為本論文的研究變數，包括資本適足性（Capital adequacy）、資產品質（Asset quality）、管理績效（Management performance）、獲利能力（Earnings）與流動性（Liquidity），並加上「成長性」與「生產力」兩大項指標，可歸為七大類的財務比率，再加上非財務性質的指標—銀行個體特徵變數。本論文研究結論發現，在所有情況皆維持不變下，台灣銀行、土地銀行及中央信託局合併後，不論是在資本適足性、經營效率、獲利能力、流動力及生產力等各方面均近似於台灣銀行的水準；若三家銀行合併後進行人事精簡、改善逾放及資金成本下降，其經營效率、獲利能力以及生產力等方面皆高於在所有情況皆維持不變下的研究結果。 最後綜合歸納目前之金融產業發展趨勢、個案分析的資料，以及個人於立法部門服務之經驗，進一步探討台灣銀行、土地銀行及中央信託局三家個案銀行的互補性、合併的利基與未來競爭優勢，及合併時可能遭遇的阻礙。並對金融主管機關、三家個案銀行及後續研究者，給予合併相關議題的建議。

本論文以2010年6月底仍存續之36間本國銀行為研究對象，以2006年第一季至2010年第二季為研究期間，首先探討金控銀行是否因異業整合，具經濟規模優勢，使銀行業務多角化，而提升經營績效；並進一步分析，資本適足率與銀行經營績效間之關係。最後，本論文從股權結構探討官股銀行與非官股銀行在經營績效上的差異。 本論文之主要實證結果顯示，研究期間台灣銀行業的獲利表現受到金融風暴影響。對金控銀行而言，資本適足率與獲利能力間呈正向關係。金控銀行放款成長率及投資成長率與獲利能力呈負向關係，表示透過多角化業務發展對金控銀行獲利有所幫助。針對官股銀行與非官股銀行獲利表現之探討，實證結果顯示其差異並未達顯著水準，表示非官股銀行與官股銀行的經營績效差異不顯著。 / Using a sample of 36 local banks in Taiwan over the period of March 2006 to June 2010, this thesis first investigates empirically that the effects of integration and diversification on operating performance of banks resulting from the formation of their financial holding companies (holding banks). In addition, this thesis also examines that the impact of capital adequacy ratio on operating performance. And finally, based on the ownership structure perspective, this thesis investigates the difference in operational performance between state-owned banks and non-state-owned banks. The empirical results indicate that the financial crisis has a negative impact on the return of banks’ asset during the research period. The capital adequacy ratio is positively related to the operating performance of holding banks, while the growth in loan and investment of holding banks is negatively related to the operating performance. The results therefore implies that the diversification of the banking businesses probably enhance operating performance of holding banks. With respect to the findings regarding the effect of ownership structure on performance, this thesis fail to provide significant evidence. The results indicate that there is no significant difference in operating performance between the non-state-own banks and the state-own banks.

<p>Anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CDK), contributes to reduced Quality of Life (QoL) and is associated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity and mortality. Epoetin raises hemoglobin (Hb) and increases QoL and physical exercise capacity. Because of concerns about safety and economics, current anemia treatment with epoetin aims to achieve subnormal Hb (110-120 g/l). Normalization of Hb may be of additional benefit regarding QoL and cardiovascular effects. The present study examines the effects of Hb normalization with epoetin on safety variables, QoL, graft function after kidney transplantation, dialysis adequacy, hemorheology, hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic function in CKD patients. </p><p>In a randomized, multicenter study comprising 416 pre-dialysis and dialysis patients no difference was observed between patients treated to a normal or a subnormal Hb level on mortality, thrombovascular events, serious adverse events, vascular access thrombosis and residual renal function. QoL was enhanced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients. Pretransplant epoetin treatment directed toward normal Hb levels did not result in worse graft function during 6 postoperative months. Dialysis adequacy was reduced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients after normalization of Hb. The blood flow properties of pre-dialysis patients were altered. The hemorheological investigation demonstrated that Hb normalization caused a parallel increase in hematocrit and blood viscosity without other hemorheological changes. While the total peripheral resistance index increased, the cardiac index (CI) decreased. In a separate study cardiac autonomic function, measured by heart rate variability, was decreased in pre-dialysis patients. It was improved, but not fully normalized, by Hb normalization. </p><p>On the basis of this study, Hb normalization with epoetin appears to be safe and increases QoL in hemodialysis patients though may result in lower dialysis adequacy and increased blood pressure. A reduction in CI and improved cardiac autonomic function indicate a positive effect on cardiovascular function.</p>

Anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CDK), contributes to reduced Quality of Life (QoL) and is associated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity and mortality. Epoetin raises hemoglobin (Hb) and increases QoL and physical exercise capacity. Because of concerns about safety and economics, current anemia treatment with epoetin aims to achieve subnormal Hb (110-120 g/l). Normalization of Hb may be of additional benefit regarding QoL and cardiovascular effects. The present study examines the effects of Hb normalization with epoetin on safety variables, QoL, graft function after kidney transplantation, dialysis adequacy, hemorheology, hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic function in CKD patients. In a randomized, multicenter study comprising 416 pre-dialysis and dialysis patients no difference was observed between patients treated to a normal or a subnormal Hb level on mortality, thrombovascular events, serious adverse events, vascular access thrombosis and residual renal function. QoL was enhanced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients. Pretransplant epoetin treatment directed toward normal Hb levels did not result in worse graft function during 6 postoperative months. Dialysis adequacy was reduced in a subgroup of hemodialysis patients after normalization of Hb. The blood flow properties of pre-dialysis patients were altered. The hemorheological investigation demonstrated that Hb normalization caused a parallel increase in hematocrit and blood viscosity without other hemorheological changes. While the total peripheral resistance index increased, the cardiac index (CI) decreased. In a separate study cardiac autonomic function, measured by heart rate variability, was decreased in pre-dialysis patients. It was improved, but not fully normalized, by Hb normalization. On the basis of this study, Hb normalization with epoetin appears to be safe and increases QoL in hemodialysis patients though may result in lower dialysis adequacy and increased blood pressure. A reduction in CI and improved cardiac autonomic function indicate a positive effect on cardiovascular function.

Abstract The goal of this research is to advance the state of the art in bulk power system reliability assessment. Bulk power system reliability assessment is an important procedure at both power system planning and operating stages to assure reliable and acceptable electricity service to customers. With the increase in the complexity of modern power systems and advances in the power industry toward restructuring, the system models and algorithms of traditional reliability assessment techniques are becoming obsolete as they suffer from nonrealistic system models and slow convergence (even non-convergence) when multi-level contingencies are considered and the system is overstressed. To allow more rigor in system modeling and higher computational efficiency in reliability evaluation procedures, this research proposes an analytically-based security-constrained adequacy evaluation (SCAE) methodology that performs bulk power system reliability assessment. The SCAE methodology adopts a single-phase quadratized power flow (SPQPF) model as a basis and encompasses three main steps: (1) critical contingency selection, (2) effects analysis, and (3) reliability index computations. In the critical contingency selection, an improved contingency selection method is developed using a wind-chime contingency enumeration scheme and a performance index approach based on the system state linearization technique, which can rank critical contingencies with high accuracy and efficiency. In the effects analysis for selected critical contingencies, a non-divergent optimal quadratized power flow (NDOQPF) algorithm is developed to (1) incorporate major system operating practices, security constraints, and remedial actions in a constrained optimization problem and (2) guarantee convergence and provide a solution under all conditions. This algorithm is also capable of efficiently solving the ISO/RTO operational mode in deregulated power systems. Based on the results of the effects analysis, reliability indices that provide a quantitative indication of the system reliability level are computed. In addition, this research extends the proposed SCAE framework to include the effects of protection system hidden failures on bulk power system reliability. The overall SCAE methodology is implemented and applied to IEEE reliability test systems, and evaluation results demonstrate the expected features of proposed advanced techniques. Finally, the contributions of this research are summarized and recommendations for future research are proposed.

民國93年3月22日，我國期貨市場發生一開盤後隨即跌停，而後無量下跌，引發我國期貨市場產生流動性風險及系統性危機之事件，此事件本研究將之簡稱為「322事件」。本研究首先將透過時間的推進來說明引發322事件之原因、發生經過，以及在此次事件中，為何會引發我國期貨市場之流動性風險及系統性危機之主要原因。本研究發現主要是因為在3月20日總統大選前，大多數的期貨交易人均預期選後的股市會有一波漲幅，故過份建立期貨多頭部位，但是經過了3月19日的槍擊總統一案以及3月20日的選舉爭議，都讓民眾對未來充滿不確定性，以致在3月22日一開盤便委賣遠大於委買，期貨成交量萎縮，期貨交易人損失慘重，保證金嚴重不足，而引發流動性風險及系統性危機。 而後，期貨主管機關為因應金融自由化及國際化，目前正研擬開放多種店頭市場金融商品供期貨商自營操作，但開放後期貨商勢必將承擔更高之市場風險，主管機關應該如何因應成了開放前最重要之課題。資本適足率係主管機關在監理期貨商經營是否健全時的第一道防線，故本研究便建構一新模型，用以估算欲開放之新種金融商品的短期投資折扣率，本研究並以台指選擇權為例，透過本模型估算其最適之短期投資折扣率，結果與目前期貨交易所所規範之40％相去不遠。 最後，本研究提出數點建議，以期未來再度發生類似於322事件時，能夠降低我國期貨市場面臨之流動性風險及系統性危機。同時，也建議期貨主管機關未來在設算金融商品之短期投資折扣率時，能夠依循一具合理原則性之模型估算，避免未來當開放多種金融商品後，產生彼此間原則相抵觸之問題。 / In 2004, Taiwan’s future market suffered both serious liquidity risk and systematic risk. At March 22nd in 2004, the Taiwan Future Index fall down and touched the maximum limit－7% suddenly. The volume of future market was extremely low. This paper called this event as “322 event.” This paper has two parts. First the paper will illustrate the 322 event. What caused the 322 event? And how the 322 event happened? This paper will seek these answers. We found that the main reasons to cause the liquidity risk and systematic risk are too many investors bought futures. This was because they believed after the 2004 President election, the Taiwan’s stock market would rise to celebrate. At March 19th, the President Chen Shui-Bian encountered a shot murder. At March 20th, some serious dispute took place and made our society was full of insecurity. Investors began concern the stock market would be uncertain. They didn’t buy any futures like before, but in contrast they started to sell it. The another aspect in this paper is to construct a model. In order to follow up the liberalization and globalization, the government authority plans to open more derivatives for the futures corporations to invest. But how do the government authorities monitor these futures corporations becomes an important lesson. This paper will also seek the answers through constructing a model using VaR model to estimate the short-term investment discount ratio. Then this paper uses Taiwan Stock Option as an example examining whether the model is useful. The short-term investment discount ratio of the stock option by model is 40.89%. This outcome is much closed to 40%, the regulated discount ratio. Finally, this paper provides several advices in order to diminish the liquidity risk and systematic risk when futures market will suffer what similar to 322 event in the future. And this paper gives some information to supervisors about how to construct a model to estimate the short-term investment discount ratio so that the ratio is ensured following a logical principle.

O processo de urbanização acelerada e a segmentação espacial no ambiente urbano no último século aponta para a heterogeneidade dos grupos sociais que coabitam a cidade e destaca os problemas como violência e segregação que surgem da relação entre os grupos. Não existem estudos conclusivos sobre as variáveis que afetam a interação social entre grupos heterogêneos em contato nos ambientem urbanos. Este estudo investiga os efeitos dos atributos espaciais na interação de grupos socioeconômicos distintos residentes em áreas urbanas comuns caracterizadas por transformações físicas ou sociais. Baseado na área de Ambiente-Comportamento, este estudo foi realizado em três áreas consolidadas da cidade de Porto Alegre, ocupadas por moradores de renda média e alta, nas quais houve inserção recente de moradores de baixa renda através de projetos de reurbanização e regularização fundiária. Foi avaliado o desempenho dessas áreas em relação aos diferentes níveis de interação social, a partir da satisfação dos moradores e da caracterização do perfil comportamental no uso dos lugares do bairro. Buscou-se o entendimento de quais atributos espaciais e composicionais mais afetam a interação social entre os moradores dos grupos distintos, seja no uso simultâneo dos espaços ou no desejo de não se relacionar com o outro grupo. Os procedimentos metodológicos adotados apoiaram-se em múltiplos métodos. A coleta de dados consistiu de duas etapas. Na Etapa 1 foram realizados levantamento físico das três áreas selecionadas (habitação social e entorno), aplicação de entrevistas e mapas mentais entre moradores dos dois grupos socioeconômicos e utilização de recursos de SIG. Na Etapa 2 os dados foram adquiridos a partir de questionários, observações comportamentais e levantamento fotográfico. A análise de dados utilizou estatística nãoparamétrica, recursos de SIG, análise sintática e análise de gráficos de visibilidade, possibilitando a complementaridade dos resultados obtidos, incrementando a compreensão e validade da investigação. Os dados evidenciam que a interação social entre os grupos socioeconomicamente distintos pode ser favorecida: (1) pela adequação da estrutura do ambiente construído, que aumenta as possibilidades de apropriação do espaço aberto e de acessibilidade das atividades, de modo simultâneo pelos grupos distintos; (2) pela maior semelhança entre as edificações da habitação social e do entorno, que podem favorecer o uso indistinto dos lugares do bairro e a maior identificação com a vizinhança; e (3) pela existência de equipamentos de comércio e serviços básicos, instituições de ensino, praças e espaços adequados para caminhar no bairro, que favorecem o uso comum dos lugares do bairro pelos dois grupos sociais e aumentam a intensidade de apropriação dos espaços abertos. A percepção de heterogeneidade entre os moradores favorece o sentimento de que existem grupos distintos no bairro e segregação no uso dos lugares; quanto maior a heterogeneidade, mais intenso tende a ser o controle territorial por parte dos moradores e menor o desejo de uso dos espaços abertos. A pesquisa realizada sustenta a importância dos atributos físico-espaciais para a compreensão do comportamento dos diferentes grupos que coabitam na cidade. Destaca-se que características dos espaços urbanos, especialmente resultantes das decisões projetuais aplicadas à habitação social, podem minimizar os efeitos da heterogeneidade entre os grupos distintos definidos em função das intervenções nas políticas públicas. Os resultados aqui obtidos ampliam o entendimento da interação social entre grupos socioeconomicamente distintos residentes em áreas urbanas comuns, podendo, assim contribuir para novas pesquisas sobre o tema e para intervenções urbanas mais adequadas às necessidades humanas. / Due to the accelerated urbanization process and spatial segmentation of the cities during the last century, there is great concern about violence and segregation that might result from an increasing heterogeneity of populations living in the same urban environment. Evidence about which variables might affect social interaction between different socioeconomic groups has not been presented so far. This research empirically addresses the effects of spatial attributes on social interaction of different socioeconomic groups in local neighborhoods, in a comparative study of three central urban areas in Porto Alegre. In these areas, characterized by high and medium income population, low-income groups were introduced through re-urbanization projects. In order to investigate the physical and composicional attributes related to the interactional process, the different levels of social interaction were evaluated by residents’ attitudes and spatial behavior in the local environment, regarding the simultaneous activities or the desire of separation between groups. The methodological procedures consisted of multiple methods used in the research area of Environment Behavior. The data collection was done in two steps. The first assessed the description of the physical aspects of the three selected areas, resident interviews and application of mental maps. The second step is organized into collection procedures (questionnaires, observations to produce behavioral maps, and photography) and analyses of the data (non-parametric statistic, use of GIS resources, syntactic analyses and graphic of visibility analyses). The multiple techniques enhanced the comprehension and the validity of the investigation. Results showed that social interaction between different socioeconomic populations are affected by: (1) adequacy of the physical structure of built environment, which increases appropriation of open spaces and to accessibility to the desired activities; (2) physic similarities of the buildings between social housing and the neighborhood context, allowing better use of local streets and the identification of the collective image (the group); and (3) the existence of facilities such as groceries and basic services, educational institutions, public places for leisure and well pavement conditions to walk, allowing common activities in the neighborhood and increasing appropriation of urban spaces. The perception heterogeneity between neighbors affects the feeling that there are different populations in the place and segregation in the use of the neighborhood: heterogeneity can stimulate territorial control and reduce the desire of using open spaces. This research shows evidence that physical attributes are relevant to understand the behavior of different populations living (in contact) in the cities. It demonstrates that project decisions related to regularization for social housing can be improved when concerned of certain physical aspects that help to reduce the effects of heterogeneity for social interaction. The findings improve the comprehension of social interaction between different socioeconomic groups living in the same neighborhood. It is expected that it can arouse interest to develop further studies on the subject, as well as motivate urban policies more congruent to human needs.

Text in Afrikkans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / The capital-adequacy problem is essentially concerned with the amount of capital that a bank should maintain in order to conduct its operations in a prudent manner. Because one of the primary functions of bank capital is to act as a risk cushion for the protection of a bank's depositors, a bank's capital funds are often regarded as comprising an insurance element. The capital-adequacy concept, therefore, may be seen as part of the overall banking risk, or prudential management. An attempt has been made to indicate that bank supervisors should use not only capital ratios when analysing a bank's capital position. Other factors, such as asset quality and other financial risks, should also be taken in consideration. Financial ratio analysis, however, provides bank supervisors with useful information. When combining ratio analysis with non-quantifiable factors, bank supervisors may indeed achieve their goal of determining capital adequacy. / Die kapitaaltoereikendheidsprobleem is hoofsaaklik gebaseer op die hoeveelheid kapitaal waaroor 'n bankinstelling moet beskik, ten einde die bankbesigheid op 'n verstandige wyse te bedryf. Een van die primere funksies van kapitaal is om te dien as verliesabsorberingsbuffer ter beskerming van 'n bankinstelling se deposante, en daarom word toereikende kapitaal dikwels geag om 'n soort versekeringselement te bevat. Die konsep van kapitaaltoereikendheid kan dus beskou word as deel van die totale risikobestuurskonsep. Daar is tydens die studie gepoog om aan te dui dat banktoesighouers nie net kapitaalverhoudings behoort te gebruik om 'n bankinstelling se kapitaalposisie te ontleed nie. Ander faktore, soos batekwaliteit en antler finansiele risiko's, moet ook in ag geneem word. Finansiele verhoudingsgetalontledings voorsien banktoesighouers van waardevolle inligting. Indien verhoudingsgetalle egter met nie-gekwantifiseerde inligting gekombineer sou word, kan banktoesighouers hul doel om kapitaaltoereikendheid te bepaal, bereik. / M.Com. (Business Management)

Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal explorar e apresentar, do ponto de vista doutrinário, legal e estatístico, três pontos centrais que carecem da atenção dos operadores do direito. O primeiro, relativo ao acesso à justiça e suas peculiaridades em apertada síntese, especialmente com olhos voltados para a retroalimentação processual, típica das sociedades de massa. Neste tópico, avaliamos dados estatísticos colhidos e fornecidos pela Comissão Especial de Juizados Especiais do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. O segundo, relativo à efetividade e instrumentalidade do processo como garantias fundamentais do processo voltadas à preservação da prestação jurisdicional comprometida com a duração razoável do processo e na preservação do Estado Democrático de Direito. Por fim, o terceiro busca a análise da questão relativa aos aspectos doutrinários da flexibilização procedimental como mecanismo para a preservação da celeridade. Analisando o enfoque do Direito Inglês e Português, bem como aspectos ligados ao gerenciamento do processo e adequação, proponho a flexibilização em sede dos Juizados Especiais Cíveis como medida de concreta preservação da informalidade. / This study aims to explore and present,by the doctrinal point of view, legal and statistical, three central points that require the attention of law enforcement officers. The first, about access to justice and its peculiarities, in synthesis, especially with eyes on the procedural feedback, typical of mass societies. In this topic, we evaluate statistical data collected and provided by Comissão Especial de Juizados Especiais do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. The second, about the effectiveness and instrumentality of the process as fundamental guarantees of the process aimed at preserving the adjudication committed to the reasonable duration of the process and the preservation of a democratic state. Finally, the third seeks to analyze the question of the doctrinal aspects of procedural flexibility as a mechanism for the preservation of speed. Analyzing the focus of law English and Portuguese as well as aspects related to process management, I propose a flexible seat in the Juizados Especiais Cíveis as a measure of actual preservation of informality.

O processo de urbanização acelerada e a segmentação espacial no ambiente urbano no último século aponta para a heterogeneidade dos grupos sociais que coabitam a cidade e destaca os problemas como violência e segregação que surgem da relação entre os grupos. Não existem estudos conclusivos sobre as variáveis que afetam a interação social entre grupos heterogêneos em contato nos ambientem urbanos. Este estudo investiga os efeitos dos atributos espaciais na interação de grupos socioeconômicos distintos residentes em áreas urbanas comuns caracterizadas por transformações físicas ou sociais. Baseado na área de Ambiente-Comportamento, este estudo foi realizado em três áreas consolidadas da cidade de Porto Alegre, ocupadas por moradores de renda média e alta, nas quais houve inserção recente de moradores de baixa renda através de projetos de reurbanização e regularização fundiária. Foi avaliado o desempenho dessas áreas em relação aos diferentes níveis de interação social, a partir da satisfação dos moradores e da caracterização do perfil comportamental no uso dos lugares do bairro. Buscou-se o entendimento de quais atributos espaciais e composicionais mais afetam a interação social entre os moradores dos grupos distintos, seja no uso simultâneo dos espaços ou no desejo de não se relacionar com o outro grupo. Os procedimentos metodológicos adotados apoiaram-se em múltiplos métodos. A coleta de dados consistiu de duas etapas. Na Etapa 1 foram realizados levantamento físico das três áreas selecionadas (habitação social e entorno), aplicação de entrevistas e mapas mentais entre moradores dos dois grupos socioeconômicos e utilização de recursos de SIG. Na Etapa 2 os dados foram adquiridos a partir de questionários, observações comportamentais e levantamento fotográfico. A análise de dados utilizou estatística nãoparamétrica, recursos de SIG, análise sintática e análise de gráficos de visibilidade, possibilitando a complementaridade dos resultados obtidos, incrementando a compreensão e validade da investigação. Os dados evidenciam que a interação social entre os grupos socioeconomicamente distintos pode ser favorecida: (1) pela adequação da estrutura do ambiente construído, que aumenta as possibilidades de apropriação do espaço aberto e de acessibilidade das atividades, de modo simultâneo pelos grupos distintos; (2) pela maior semelhança entre as edificações da habitação social e do entorno, que podem favorecer o uso indistinto dos lugares do bairro e a maior identificação com a vizinhança; e (3) pela existência de equipamentos de comércio e serviços básicos, instituições de ensino, praças e espaços adequados para caminhar no bairro, que favorecem o uso comum dos lugares do bairro pelos dois grupos sociais e aumentam a intensidade de apropriação dos espaços abertos. A percepção de heterogeneidade entre os moradores favorece o sentimento de que existem grupos distintos no bairro e segregação no uso dos lugares; quanto maior a heterogeneidade, mais intenso tende a ser o controle territorial por parte dos moradores e menor o desejo de uso dos espaços abertos. A pesquisa realizada sustenta a importância dos atributos físico-espaciais para a compreensão do comportamento dos diferentes grupos que coabitam na cidade. Destaca-se que características dos espaços urbanos, especialmente resultantes das decisões projetuais aplicadas à habitação social, podem minimizar os efeitos da heterogeneidade entre os grupos distintos definidos em função das intervenções nas políticas públicas. Os resultados aqui obtidos ampliam o entendimento da interação social entre grupos socioeconomicamente distintos residentes em áreas urbanas comuns, podendo, assim contribuir para novas pesquisas sobre o tema e para intervenções urbanas mais adequadas às necessidades humanas. / Due to the accelerated urbanization process and spatial segmentation of the cities during the last century, there is great concern about violence and segregation that might result from an increasing heterogeneity of populations living in the same urban environment. Evidence about which variables might affect social interaction between different socioeconomic groups has not been presented so far. This research empirically addresses the effects of spatial attributes on social interaction of different socioeconomic groups in local neighborhoods, in a comparative study of three central urban areas in Porto Alegre. In these areas, characterized by high and medium income population, low-income groups were introduced through re-urbanization projects. In order to investigate the physical and composicional attributes related to the interactional process, the different levels of social interaction were evaluated by residents’ attitudes and spatial behavior in the local environment, regarding the simultaneous activities or the desire of separation between groups. The methodological procedures consisted of multiple methods used in the research area of Environment Behavior. The data collection was done in two steps. The first assessed the description of the physical aspects of the three selected areas, resident interviews and application of mental maps. The second step is organized into collection procedures (questionnaires, observations to produce behavioral maps, and photography) and analyses of the data (non-parametric statistic, use of GIS resources, syntactic analyses and graphic of visibility analyses). The multiple techniques enhanced the comprehension and the validity of the investigation. Results showed that social interaction between different socioeconomic populations are affected by: (1) adequacy of the physical structure of built environment, which increases appropriation of open spaces and to accessibility to the desired activities; (2) physic similarities of the buildings between social housing and the neighborhood context, allowing better use of local streets and the identification of the collective image (the group); and (3) the existence of facilities such as groceries and basic services, educational institutions, public places for leisure and well pavement conditions to walk, allowing common activities in the neighborhood and increasing appropriation of urban spaces. The perception heterogeneity between neighbors affects the feeling that there are different populations in the place and segregation in the use of the neighborhood: heterogeneity can stimulate territorial control and reduce the desire of using open spaces. This research shows evidence that physical attributes are relevant to understand the behavior of different populations living (in contact) in the cities. It demonstrates that project decisions related to regularization for social housing can be improved when concerned of certain physical aspects that help to reduce the effects of heterogeneity for social interaction. The findings improve the comprehension of social interaction between different socioeconomic groups living in the same neighborhood. It is expected that it can arouse interest to develop further studies on the subject, as well as motivate urban policies more congruent to human needs.