improving rio's favelas

Question 1

how can we improve rio’s favelas?

Answer 1

• raise taxes on the rich to help pay for housing for the poor
• develop rural areas to reduce rural-urban migration
• moving people to new areas to prevent overcrowding
• developing cultural activities for youngsters, e.g. samba, to prevent them from getting involved in crime

Question 2

describe the favela-bairro project:

Answer 2

between 1994 and 2007. the local authority provides land and services for residents to build homes. they carry out reparations:
- paved and formally named roads
- building of new health, leisure and education facilities
- water supply and drainage system (proper sanitation)
- a pacifying police unit can be set up, with police patrols to reduce crime

Question 3

was the favela-bairro project a success or a failure?

Answer 3

• seen as a model by the united nations and other brazilian cities
• newly-built infrastructure isn’t maintained, residents lack the skill to repair them
• budget of 1 million us dollars doesn’t cover every favela

Question 4

describe the importance of supplying people in favelas with addresses:

Answer 4

• roads have been named and paved, favelas are now more accessible
• in 1937, favelas weren’t allowed to be on maps, as they were considered ‘temporary’
• an address allows you to apply for loans, jobs, receive deliveries and mail

Question 5

describe the importance of installing cable cars in favelas:

Answer 5

• journey from the base to the top used to be an hour long, but is now 15 minutes long
• stations host services (e.g. job training, education, medical, legal) all imporving life quality
• inhabitants are given one free return ticket per day

Question 6

what are the benefits of the self-help schemes in the favelas?

Answer 6

• today, almost all the houses in Rocinha are three and four stories tall and almost all houses have basic sanitation, plumbing and electricity.
• compared to other slums, Rocinha has better developed infrastructure and hundreds of businesses such as banks, drug stores, bus lines, cable TV, and, at one time, a McDonald’s store.

Question 7

describe tackling crime in favelas:

Answer 7

• specially trained policemen reclaim the streets - they can improve them, and people can live and work safely
• the men are incredibly well-trained with the ability to handle weapons and combat high-profile gangs
• regular patrols / police stations set up within the favela communities