CASE STUDY Rio de Janeiro Flashcards
Where is Rio de Janeiro located, and why is it globally significant?
Located in Brazil (South America); former capital until 1960.
Global influence:
Hosts Carnival (5M visitors/year).
Home to Christ the Redeemer (7 Modern Wonders).
Hosted 2016 Olympics (controversial evictions).
Major economic hub (HQ for oil, mining, telecoms).
Tourism: 2M visitors/year (beaches, Copacabana).
How has Rio’s economy grown, and what challenges has this caused?
Growth drivers: Tourism, business (port, oil, mining).
Challenges:
Overpopulation: Rapid migration → housing shortages, unemployment.
Inequality:
Rich (Leblon): 8 schools/50K people, luxury apartments.
Poor (Rochina favela): 2 schools/100K people, makeshift homes, no waste removal.
List 4 key challenges in Rio.
Healthcare inequality: High maternal mortality in favelas.
Water access: 12% lack clean water; leaky infrastructure.
Crime: Gang violence, drug trade, unsafe electricity theft.
Pollution: Untreated sewage in Guanabara Bay harms wildlife.
How is Rio addressing its challenges?
Crime: UPP police patrols (reduced gangs but distrusted).
Favelas:
Relocation (less crowding but isolates communities).
Upgrades: Bus services, safer housing.
Water pollution: 12 new sewage plants; fines for polluters.
Resources:
Mobile healthcare visits (lower infant mortality).
New water/electricity pipelines (though illegal taps persist).
Define favela and inequality in Rio’s context.
Favela: Informal settlements (e.g., Rochina) with poor services.
Inequality: Gap between rich (Leblon) and poor (favelas) in housing, education, safety.
What percentage of Rio’s population has access to a local health clinic?
Around 55%.
How many homes in Rio lack access to running water?
Around 12% (though varies by favela).
What is the unemployment rate in favelas like Rochina?
Around 20%, often higher in young people.
What’s a common issue with informal jobs?
They are poorly paid, with no tax, contracts, or worker rights.
Name three types of environmental problems in Rio.
Air pollution from traffic and industry.
Water pollution in Guanabara Bay.
Waste pollution in favelas.
How many tonnes of raw sewage are dumped into Guanabara Bay each d
Around 200 tonnes.
Why are waste collection services poor in favelas?
Narrow, steep streets are inaccessible to refuse trucks.
