Challenges In The Human Environment - Rio Flashcards
Rio de Janeiro facts
Found on Brazil’s Atlantic Coast (Guanabara Bay is the main area)
Regional importance -
National importance -
Global importance - hosted the 2014 World Cup + 2016 Olympic Games
Causes of growth in Rio
In 2014, Rio had a population of 6.5 million in the city and 12.5 million in the surrounding area
Migrants from South Korea and China seeking business opportunities
Common language attracts migrants from Portugal
Rio’s industry attracts skilled workers from the USA and the UK
Social challenges and solutions - healthcare
55% of the city had access to a clinic; pregnant women and elderly are vulnerable
Medical staff visit homes with a kit to detect 20 diseases and treat them, reducing infant mortality rate and life expectancy increases
Social challenges and solutions - education
Only 1/2 the children continue education beyond the age of 14, given a lack of money, shortage of teachers and low pay for teachers
Encourage locals to volunteer to teach, giving school grants to poor families and opening a private university in Rocinha favela
Social challenges and solutions - water supply
12% of Rio’s population have no access to running water, 37% of water is lost through leaky pipes
Improving the quality and quantity of water in the favelas, 7 new treatment plants were built between 1998 and 2014
Social challenges and solutions - energy
The whole city suffers from frequent blackouts, many illegally use the main electricity which is dangerous and risky
Installing 60km of new power lines, building a new nuclear generator
Effects of economic growth in Rio
The city provides more than 6% of all employment in Brazil
Rio has the highest income per head in the country
Rio is Brazil’s second most important industrial centre after Sao Paulo
Examples of jobs in Rio
Construction
Retail and distribution
Banking
Port industries
Oil refining
Manufacturing
Tourism
Economic challenges and solutions - unemployment
Unemployment rates are over 20% in the favelas, 1/3 of Rio’s 3.5 million workers don’t have a formal employment contract
The local government is using education to reduce youth unemployment, free childcare is available for teenage parents allowing them to continue with education
Economic challenges and solutions - crime
Crime is a major problem in Rio with murder, kidnapping, armed assault and drug trafficking being the greatest challenges
In 2013, Pacifying Police Units (UPPs) were established to reclaim favelas from drug dealers
Environmental challenges and solutions - air pollution
Causes 5000 deaths per year, heavy traffic congestion and mist from the Atlantic mix with vehicle exhaust to create smog
Expansion of Guanabara Bay metro solution, new toll roads into the city centre to reduce congestion, making coast roads one-way to improve traffic flow
Environmental challenges and solutions - traffic congestion
Traffic congestion increases stress and pollution levels, number of cars has increased by 40% in the past decade
Expansion of Guanabara Bay metro solution, new toll roads into the city centre to reduce congestion, making coast roads one-way to improve traffic flow
Environmental challenges and solutions - water pollution
Commercial fishing has decreased by 90% in the last 20 years, over 200 tonnes of raw sewage pours into Guanabara Bay every day
12 new sewage systems have been built since 2004 - cost 68 million USD, 5km of sewage pipes have been installed in badly polluted areas
Environmental challenges and solutions - waste pollution
Access for waste lorries in favelas is difficult as many are on a slope, encourages diseases such as cholera and rats
Favelas
A squatter settlement in a Brazilian city
1800 in Rio
60% in suburbs (outskirts)
Often built along main roads
Rocinha facts
Largest favela in Rio
75,000 people living there
Near Copacabana area (wealthy) = jobs
Successes of Rocinha
90% of homes are built with bricks, have electricity, running water and a sewage system
Schools, health facilities and universities are in the area
Many houses with TVs and fridges
Challenges of squatter settlements - construction
Houses are poorly constructed as they were built illegally (from plastic and iron)
In 2010, 224 people were killed and 13,000 lost their homes from heavy rains and storms
Challenges of squatter settlements - services
12% of homes do not have running water
30% of homes do not have electricity
50% of homes do not have a sewage system
Many homes have illegal connections to electricity pylons
Challenges of squatter settlements - unemployment
Unemployment rates are as high as 20%
Average incomes may be less than £75 a month
Challenges of squatter settlements - crime
High murder rate of 20 per 1000 people in many favelas
Drug gangs dominate favelas
Inhabitants distrust the police because of corruption
Challenges of squatter settlements - health
Population density = 37,000 per km²
Infant mortality rates as high as 50 per 1000
Water cannot be disposed of and the danger of diseases increases - cholera
Plans to improve favelas
Moving people to new areas (Barra de Tijuca) to reduce overcrowding
Rehousing people from favelas into basic housing
Raising taxes on the poor to help pay for housing the poor
Site and service scheme
Where the local authority provides land and services for residents to build homes
Improvements in Favela Barrio Project
Access to water supply and drainage system for improved sanitation
Building of new health, leisure and education centres
100% mortgages available for people to buy their homes
Installation of a cable car system across Complexo do Alemao hillsides - inhabitants are given one free return ticket a day
Successes of the Favela Barrio Project
Quality of life has improved
Allows for better mobility and travel to other areas
Employment prospects
Problems of the Favela Barrio Project
The budget of 1 million USD may not cover every favela
The newly-built structure is not being maintained
Residents lack the skills and resources to make repairs
More training is needed to improve literacy and employment rates
Rents rise in the improved favelas making the poorest residents even worse off
