Case Study 18: Squatter settlements in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Question 1

What are the problems with housing in Rio de Janeiro?

Answer 1

1/2 million homeless.
1 million live in favelas: e.g. Morro de Alemao + Rocinha..
Lack basic services such as electricity + water + sewage.
Houses are built with wood, corrugated iron and broken bricks.
Favelas are built in steep land; so vulnerable to flash floods.

Question 2

What are the problems with crime in Rio de Janeiro?

Answer 2

Lack of police: gangs settle there.

Lack of education+future+poverty: Gangs use people living in favelas.

Question 3

What are the problems with traffic and pollution in Rio?

Answer 3

Surrounding mountains keep the fumes in the city.
Rubbish not collected.
open sewerage drains = spread of disease.

Question 4

How has the Self Help Housing Rocinha project helped to solve problems caused by squatter settlements in Rio?

Answer 4

Most houses were reformed and built on brick and tile in the Rocinha favelas.
Government has added electricity, paving + water.

Question 5

How has the Favela Barrio project helped to solve problems caused by squatter settlements in Rio?

Answer 5

1990s: government chose 16 favelas to improve using 250 million dollars.
Widened streets so that emergency and waste collection services could get access.

Question 6

How has the new town Barra da Tijuca helped solve the problems caused by squatter settlements in Rio?

Answer 6

Rich moved outside of Rio to avoid crime.
Barra da Tujica has schools, hospitals…
Spacious+luxurious accommodations.