Challenges in favelas

Question 1

What is the major urban challenge in Rio occurring from rapid population growth?

Answer 1

As the city has not been able to build enough houses there has been an increase in squatter settlements and the poorest people have been forced to live in favelas

Question 2

What are squatter settlements?

Answer 2

Illegal, unplanned settlements used by homeless people. Squatter settlements are usually built close to city centres and transport routes. Overtime they are improved by people and organisations.

Question 3

What are favelas?

Answer 3

self-built housing on public or private land which initially lacks any proper infrastructure. Overtime, services such as water and electricity may be introduced.
They are the most common type of squatter settlement in Rio.

Question 4

Describe the characteristics of favelas

Answer 4

• densely packed
• located close to industrial areas for employment
• many are developed on steep slopes
• 85% are in the city’s suburbs or outer areas
• buildings often built from wood

Question 5

What are the 5 main challenges in favelas?

Answer 5

1. Construction
2. Unemployment
3. Services
4. Crime
5. Health

Question 6

Why is construction a challenge in favelas?

Answer 6

• homes poorly built as they were initally built illegally- now mostly concrete and brick
• heavy rain from storms cause landslides, in 2010, 224 people were killed and 13,000 homes were swept away
• limited road access due to steepness of slopes

Question 7

Why is unemployment a challenge in favelas?

Answer 7

• unemployment rates are 20%
• much employment is poorly paid with irregular jobs in the informal sector
• average incomes my be less than $75 a month

Question 8

Why are services a problem in favelas?

Answer 8

• in the non-improved favelas, 12% homes have no access to running water, 30% have no electricity and 50% have no sewage connections
• many homes have illegal connections to electricity
• sewers are open drains
• drinking water often comes from tapping into city water mains

Question 9

Why is crime a problem in favelas?

Answer 9

• high murder rate, 20 per 1000 people
• drug gangs dominate favelas
• many people distrust police due to violence and corruption

Question 10

Why is health a problem in favelas?

Answer 10

• there are population densities of 37,000 per km2
• infant mortality rates are 50 per 1000
• waste builds up in streets, increasing danger of disease
• occasionally fires break out, smoke inhalation is harmful to health