Changing Urban Environments Case Studies

Question 1

What are the three ways squatter settlements can be improved?

Answer 1

• self help schemes
• site and service schemes
• local authority schemes

Question 2

Describe self help schemes and how they have improved Rocinha?

Answer 2

• over time residents of squatter settlements will make improvements to their homes
• such as add more sturdy roofs, use bricks
• there are also assisted self help schemes where local authorities provide building materials to help provide better housing
• many have set up their own shops and small industries; created own places of entertainment
• added electricity

Question 3

What are local authority schemes?

Answer 3

• schemes funded by the local government that improve the temporary accommodation built by residents
• there may be large scale improvements made to some squatter settlements of new towns may be constructed

Question 4

What is the Favela - Bairro project?

Answer 4

• a large-scale local authority scheme

Question 5

How did the Favela - Bairro

project try to improve the settlements?

Answer 5

Social:

• communities are provided with basic public infrastructure, which can be rare or non existent
• wooden buildings would have been replaced with brick buildings
• houses built on dangerous steep slopes were removed
• residents offered a chance to apply legally to own their building
• provides basic needs: portable water, sewage systems, electricity, public lighting
• widening and paving of roads to allow easier access
• park for athletic activities
• weekly garbage collections
• community daycare, after school schemes and support centres for families,children and adolescents
• support for drug and alcohol addiction and domestic violence
• all services are staffed by local residents, providing them with an income and help them learn new skills
• 81% have access to piped water
• neighbour associations formed

Economic:

• services staffed by residents
• cable car improves employment prospects

Environmental:

• hill sides around favela secured to prevent landslides
• clean water/sewage systems

Question 6

What evidence is there that the Favela-Bairro project has been successfully?

Answer 6

• IDB are committed to raise the budget to $1 billion when already £600 million had been spent
• 81% of slum dwellers have access to piped water compared to 55% of non-participating community
• 31% increase in number of properties registered under the city compared to slums not part of program
• Impact on the estimated value of homes
• slightly increase in number of children who went to school
• 18 countries in Latin America are doing these projects that are similar
• they have served as an example to another project in India

Question 7

What are some effects of rapid urbanisation?

Answer 7

• waste disposal problems: people in cities create a lot of waste. damage people’s health and environment
• more air pollution: from burning fuel, exhaust fumes
• more water pollution: sewage, toxic chemicals from factories

Question 8

Using a case study explain the effects of rapid urbanisation

Answer 8

Cairo:

• noise pollution: millions of vehicles calling Muslis to prayer and nightclubs on River Nile cause problems. well above acceptable levels according to WHO.
• air pollution: predicted that half a million of Cairo’s residents will develop serious health problems which will lead to premature death. 37% of Shoubra el Keima suffer lung problems. sun’s rays blocked by smog and high lead concentration
• land pollution: 10,000 tonnes of solid waste produced everyday. 40% left to rot in streets . toxic waste accumulation
• water pollution: streams filled with plastic bags full of solid waste. estimate that 23% of population doesn’t have access to fresh water and 25% isn’t connected to public sewage system
• housing problem: approx 60% live in shanty dwellings and people live in a cemetery

Question 9

What is BedZED?

Answer 9

• UK’s largest mixed use, carbon-neutral development
• in Wellington, South London
• provides 82 affordable dwellings approx 2500m^2 of workspace
• south facing rows of residential terraces and north facing work units

Question 10

What are some design principles of BedZED?

Answer 10

• renewable energy: 777m^2 of solar panels
• energy efficient: houses face south to take advantage of solar gain, triple glazed and high thermal insulation
• water efficient: most rainwater falling is collected and reused
• low impact materials: renewable or recycled sources within 35 miles of the site
• waste recycling: support recycling
• transport: partnership with City Car Club. can borrow
  cars

Question 11

What are the transport links of BedZED?

Answer 11

• 500m north of Hackbridge station, 5 mins walks
• cars are discourages
• trans from London Victoria and St pancras
• Tramlink service from Croydon to Mitcham Junction
• 127 bus

Question 12

What has BedZED achieved when compared to UK averages?

Answer 12

• space heating requirements were 88% less
• hot water consumption 57% less
• electrical power used was 25% less than UK average due to solar panels
• mains-water consumption reduced by 50%
• car mileage was 65% less