Changing Urban Environments - [CASE STUDY] Rapid Urbanisation in a LEDC

Question 1

What is the example used?

Answer 1

Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro.

Question 2

What is the population of Greater Rio de Janeiro (Metropolitan regions included)?

Answer 2

It was 6.9 million in 1960, but is now estimated (By Demographia) to be over 11.6 million, and by 2025 to reach 13.1 million.

Question 3

What is “the divide” in Rio?

Answer 3

• The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema - backed by luxury housing.
• The problems of rapid urban growth including favelas, traffic and crime, found in places such as Rocinha.

Question 4

What are the problems?

Answer 4

• Estimated 1/2 million homeless street dwellers.
• Over 1 million live in favelas, and another 1 million in poor quality local authority housing.
• Rocinha has an estimated population of 150,000-300,000.
• Rain causing flash floods and landslides. e.g: 1988 over 200 people died.
• Organised crime, violence and drugs.
• Mountains hem city in, so traffic channelled along limited number of routes. Severe congestion, pollution and noise.
• Industrial haze and traffic fumes. Beaches also very polluted. Huge amounts of waste. Polluted water supplies, open sewers cause health hazards.

In favelas:

• 37,000 people per km².
• Diseases.
• High infant mortaility rate.
• Low 56 year life expectancy.

Question 5

Why can’t Rio grow?

Answer 5

Because of physical factors. To the North and West are mountain ranges, to the South and East lies water.