INFORMAL SETTLEMENT - Rocinha

Question 1

How many people live in favelas?

How many live in Rocinha?

Answer 1

1 million

Rocinha is the largest favela - 70,000 in 2010.

Question 2

What are the problems with living in Rocinha?

Answer 2

• Built on steep slopes - risk of flooding and landslides. Floods in 1988 caused 200 deaths.
• Lack of transport, so people have to carry everything by hand.
• Poor housing. Estimated 0.5 million homeless, 1 million live in poor quality local authority housing. There are over 600 favelas.
• High crime rates. Many people moving to Barra de Tijuca - perceived as safer. Links to organised crime and drugs.
• Traffic problems because mountains hem in roads.
• Overcrowding speeds up spread of disease.
• Industrial pollution and haze from traffic fumes. Narrow streets exacerabate this, because cars move slower and there is more pollution.

Question 3

How are self help schemes carried out?

Answer 3

• Buildings upgraded to brick and tile.
• Informal sector set up.
• Neighbours help each other.
• Authorities add electricity. Partnered with Sim TV to start new television channel with 50 actors.

Question 4

How has the government developed Rocinha?

Answer 4

• Barra de Tijuca created for wealthy residents looking for a safer place to live. Sited 20km along the coast - in 1995 had population of 130,000. High-rise appartments protected by security guards.
• Set aside £200 million to improve 60 of 600 favelas.
• Aims to widen streets and lay pavements.
• Will create new services and facilities using locals as labour.