Brasil Urbanisation Case Study

Question 1

Background info on Rio de Janeiro:

Answer 1

• 10 million live there
• It was the former capital city
• There is a large contrast between rich people that live around Copacabana beach and the vast majority living in poor conditions around the edge of the city in the favelas.
• Problems in the city include housing, crime, traffic and pollution.

Question 2

What are the problems with housing?

Answer 2

• Approximately 0.5 million are homeless.
• Approximately 1 million live in favelas (e.g. Morro de Alemao and Rocinha).
• Another million live in poor quality government housing in the periferia.
• The favela housing lacks basic services like running water, sewerage or electricity.
• The houses are constructed from wood, corrugated iron, broken bricks and tiles or other materials found lying around.
• Favelas are often found on land that is steep, by the side of roads, railways etc and flash floods can destroy such houses and take peoples lives.
• At first the government tried to bulldoze such communities, but now they remain because of community spirit.

Question 3

What are the issues with crime?

Answer 3

• Favelas are thought to be associated with drugs, violence etc. Tourists to Rio or warned not to enter favela areas or take valuables to beaches etc.
• Some wealthy are moving to new towns to avoid a crime.

Question 4

What are the problems with traffic and pollution?

Answer 4

• Mountains around the city keep the fumes from vehicles in, and these can only use a limited number of routes, which results in congestion and noise.
• A vast amount of rubbish is produced, and in favelas this is not collected. Along with open sewerage drains it results in the spread of diseases.

Question 5

What solutions have there been to these problems?

Answer 5

• Self-help housing in Rocinha:
  • Old wooden houses are replaced by brick and tile houses.
  • Many have set up their own shops in the informal sector.
  • Government has added electricity, paving, lighting, water pipes but the steep hills still restrict.
• Favela barrio project:
  • 1990s government chose 16 favelas to invest €250 mill. in.
  • replaced wood for bricks and gave each house a yard.
  • widened streets so emergency services and waste collectors could get access.
  • improved sanitation, health and sport facilities.
  • used residents for labour and to teach them skills in return for them paying taxes.