Squatter Settlement - Rio Flashcards
What is our case study for a squatter settlement?
Favela-Bairro Project, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Where is Rio de Janeiro?
South east Brazil.
What is the word for a Brazilian shanty town?
Favela.
How many favelas are there in Rio de Janeiro?
600.
How many people live in favelas in Rio?
1 million.
One fifth of the city’s population.
When did the favela project start?
1995.
How many people did the project involve?
253,000 in 73 favelas.
How much did the project cost?
$300 million.
How much of the funding came from local authority?
40%.
What international organisation provided the rest of the money?
The Inter-American Development Bank.
What were the social improvements?
Day care centres and after school schemes to look after children while parents are at work.
Adult education classes improve adult literacy.
Services help people affected by drug addiction, alcoholic addiction, domestic violence.
What were the economic improvements?
Residents can now apply to legally own their properties.
Training schemes - learn new skills, better jobs, earn more money.
What were the environmental improvements?
Replace of wooden buildings with brick buildings.
Removal of homes on dangerously steep slopes.
Widening and paving streets allows easier access.
Provision of basic services, clean water, electricity.
Why is community involvement important in this project?
Residents choose improvements they want in their own favela, feel involved.
Neighbourhood associations formed to communicate with residents and make decisions.
New services are staffed by residents, providing income.
Has the favela-barrio project been a success?
Yes, very successful.
The standard of living/health has improved.
The property values in favelas have increased by 80%-120%.
Number of local businesses almost doubled.
