Urban Futures: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Question 1

location & importance

Answer 1

• located south-east Atlantic coast of Brazil
• major manufacturing centre
• Brazil’s art & cultural capital
• major port exporting coffee, sugar & iron ores and transport hub
• 2016 Olympic/Paralympic Games & 2014 World Cup host

Question 2

impact of migration

Answer 2

• since 1950 6.7 mil people in city itself
  pull factors:
• employment & business opportunities
• access to services (healthcare & education)
• access to resources (water & energy supply)

Question 3

ways of life

Answer 3

• one of most diverse ranges of industries in any Brazilian city
• one of highest levels of income per head in country
• improved life expectancy, literacy & infant mortality in Brazil
• rich cultural heritage, attractive beaches, tropical climate & landforms - good tourist attraction

Question 4

social & economic challenges and solutions

Answer 4

challenge: access to healthcare in poorer areas
solution: community-based ‘family health teams’ - improved vaccination programmes from 4% to 70% in some favelas

challenge: only 50% children continue education after 14 due to need for teenagers to work and lack of services
solution: NGOs work with communities to improve education provision

challenge: water supply & sanitation needed in densely populated favelas
solution: since 1998 7 new treatment plants & 300km water pipes built - 96% city now has safe piped water

Question 5

sustainable solutions

Answer 5

• making coast roads one-way during rush hours
• new sewage & pipes installed
• power plant converts landfill biogas to generate electricity