Major City in NEE/LIC Case Study — Rio de Janeiro Flashcards
Urban growth creates opportunities and challenges for cities in LICs and NEEs
Location
Brazil;
Atlantic Coast;
23ºS, 43ºW;
Grown around large natural bay: Guanabara Bay;
Rio is cultural capital of Brazil, with over 50 museums, and famous annual carnival;
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Regional Importance
High private investment;
High levels of spending;
Public-private partnerships;
From 2012-2013: RS 98 - 823 per person
Migration Factors Contributing to City’s Growth
Push Factors: - Few job opportunities; - Low wages; - Difficult and unprofitable farming; - No land ownership; - Lack of social amenities; - Sense of isolation; - Natural Hazards, eg, droughts Pull Factors; - Job opportunities; - Higher wages; - Better schools and hospitals; - Better housing and services (water, electricity, sewage; - Better social life; - Better transport and communications
National Importance
- Visa applications doubled;
- 1.6 million tourists;
- $137 million total from film industry in Brazil;
- Tourism = 50% GDP;
- 2nd most important industrial center —> 5% Brazil’s GDP;
Global Importance
- Main manufacturing industries: chemicals, pharmaceuticals, clothing, furniture, processed foods;
- Main service industries: banking, finance, insurance;
- Booming economy due to oil discoveries + hosting competitions (2014 Football World Cup + 2016 Olympics);
- $7.3 billion of FDI;
- 5 ports + 3 airports;
- Main exports: coffee, sugar, iron ore
Rio City Zones
North: main industrial + port area, (international) airport, (Maracaña) stadium, low quality housing, favelas, (Tijuca) National Park;
West: modern, luxury apartments, recreational + tourist facilities, malls, commercial;
Center: old town, CBD (commercial), main shopping area, financial area, headquarters of oil and mining companies (Petrobas + CVBB), congestion, high population density;
South: beaches, touristic (Ipanema + Copacabana), relatively modern buildings, green, well-maintained, overlooked by Rocinha (favela)
Social Challenges and Solutions: Healthcare
In 2013, 55% of city had local family health clinic, service in West zone for elderly + pregnant women very poor;
Medical staff took kits to people’s homes in Santa Maria favela and detected 20 diseases and treated them —> infant mortality decreased, life expectancy increased;
Social Challenges and Solutions: Education
Half of children attend school after 14 y-o, shortage of nearby schools, lack of money, shortage of teachers, low wages for teachers, poor training for teachers;
Authorities encouraged locals to volunteer in schools, school grants to families whose children stay in school (poor families to pay for school), money available for sport activities (volleyball, football, swimming, squash in Rocinha), opening university in Rocinha favela
Social Challenges and Solutions: Water Supply
12% population no access to water, 37% lost through leaky pipes, fraud and illegal access;
7 water treatments built 1998-2014, 300km pipes improve quality and quantity, by 2014, 95% population had access to mains water supply
Social Challenges and Solutions: Energy
Frequent blackouts (shortage of electricity), illegal tapping in poorer areas (risky and unsafe);
60km power lines, new nuclear generator, developing hydro-electric complex (Simplício) increase supply by 30%
Economic Challenges and Solutions: Unemployment
Rate over 20%, most work in informal sector (without government support);
Education reduces youth unemployment, practical skills-based courses (for adults too)
Social Challenges and Solutions: Crime
Murder, kidnapping, carjacking, armed assault occur regularly, drug trafficking and gangs in favelas;
In 2013, Pacifying Police Units (PPUs) established in favelas, in 30 smaller favelas and Complexo Alemão
Environmental Challenges and Solutions: Water Pollution
Rivers flowing into Guanabara Bay are polluted, commercial fishing declined by 90% in last 20 years, over 50 tonnes industrial waster enters bay/day, oil spills from Petrobas oil refinery, eutrophication in Lagos Rodrigo channel;
12 new sewage works built since 2004, ships fined for illegal discharging fuel, 5km sewage pipes installed in badly polluted areas
Environmental Challenges and Solutions: Traffic Congestion
Steep slopes make hard to build roads so lowland roads become congested, 40% cars increase in last decade, crime makes people feel safer getting around in cars;
Subway expansion under Guanabara Bay to South zone, new toll roads in city center, coast roads are one-way during rush-hours improves traffic flow
Environmental Challenges and Solutions: Waste Pollution
Worst in favelas, few roads make hard for waste collection, waste is dumped and pollutes water and encourages spread of diseases (cholera) and rats;
Power plant near University of Rio uses methane gas (biogas) from rotting garbage —> consumes 30 tonnes garbage/day, produces electricity for 1000 homes