Urban Issues and Challenges 2 - Rio de Janeiro Flashcards

Question

Why do favelas exist?

Answer 1

People end up in favelas because there is a lack of housing for Rio's rapidly growing population.

Answer 2

Informal, often illegal settlements, often built in undesirable areas.

Answer 3

The colonial period.

Answer 4

In countries like Syria and Lebanon, there is political and economic instability. This means that people flee to countries like Brazil for safety.

Answer 5

-managing urban growth in the favelas -providing clean water, sanitation systems, and energy -providing access to health and education services

Answer 6

-Residents (millions!) forced to construct their own homes from scrap materials such as corrugated iron, metals, or wood. -TMT there is often no sewage or waste disposal system in place, and few taps - shared between many families, which means that sanitation is poor. Diseases like cholera are common. This is only going to get worse because the population in the favelas is increasing at the same rate as the rest of Rio's population. There is little access to healthcare and education services due to location. Crime and unemployment rates are high

Answer 7

-On the outskirts of the city because only this land is available to build on within the city limits. -Furthermore, much of Rio's industry is located on the edge of the city hence many people locate close to the factories for jobs -Some are 40/50km from the city centre, up steep hillsides/by main roads

Answer 8

Invasion, consolidation, upgrading, and assimilation.

Answer 9

1- Migrants too poor to live in formal settlements settle on undesirable (e.g. risk of flooding), often illegal land. They build shanty houses out of scrap materials from dump sites WMT sanitation and quality of life are poor. There's little access to healthcare and education services.

Answer 10

2- People decide they want to improve the conditions so self-build better homes (e.g. by saving for bricks). Services like shops and schools can uprise (but without planning permission) People look for jobs but often in the informal sector e.g. rubbish collectors/street vendors. The favela grows up as a community.

Answer 11

3- Houses develop further, becoming more sustainable. Schools are completed so children have access to an education. Families rely on all members including children to make an income but it gets easier to survive due to the uprising community.

Answer 12

4- Things become more permanent e.g. housing is much better quality and schooling is established.

Answer 13

How urban industrial areas can be as stimulus for economic development. This is because the favelas often emerge on the outskirts around factories.

Answer 14

Through the positive multiplier effect.

Answer 15

Industry in Rio de Janeiro has grown e.g. of petrochemicals due to the discovery of oil off the coast. This increased the number of local workers employed which meant that the government is paid more tax directly, and through tax revenues by increased spending of disposable income. Consequently, there is more money available to invest into improving infrastructure (like roads/rails) and services (like education/healthcare). This encourages more businesses (including TNCs like shell) to move in creating an economic growth cycle.

Answer 16

-12% of Rio’s population did not have access to running water before 2014 -37% is lost due to leaky pipes (caused by fraud if the poor drill into pipes illegally) -Despite improvements, recent drought has increased the pressure on water supply because reservoirs have dried up -For example, Santa Branca reservoir produced under 40% of its useful volume for Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in 2021-2022 F R A U D U L E N T

Answer 17

Rio knew they were to host the 2016 Olympics/Paralympics and the 2014 World cup - both major sporting events with many visiting spectators. This encouraged the authorities to improve access to clean water, particularly in the favelas and in the Olympic Park where 300km of pipes were laid. Also, 7 new treatment plants came into action between 1998 and 2014 which provided a source of clean water for many. Which meant that by 2014, 95% of Rio's population had access to a mains water supply.

Answer 18

Barra da Tijuca in the West zone

Answer 19

-Many people have no access to flushing toilets so are forced to use pits instead -This means their sewerage drains into the soil (polluting groundwater), or pours into open drains and rivers -Which means that many of Rio’s rivers and Guanabara Bay itself are heavily polluted with raw sewerage – an estimated 200 tonnes per day

Answer 20

-It's a threat to wildlife -It's likely to affect Ipanema and Copacabana beaches which would reduce tourism and hence damage the economy

Answer 21

-There are energy shortages in the city – the growing population and demands of the 2016 Olympics made the situation worse -This means that there are frequent blackouts -Which means that the productivity of hospitals, schools, and industry is slowed -Many people in poorer part of Rio illegally tap into the main supply which is unsafe with the risk of electrocution and fires/ more blackouts

Answer 22

The "Simplicio Hydroelectric Complex" is being constructed at the Paraiba do Sul River (south east Brazil) It came into operation in 2013 and the hope is that it means Rio’s electricity supply should increase by 30%. Which means that electricity supplies should become more reliable. 60km of new power lines were also installed which means that energy supply is more reliable than in rural areas. So, residents are less likely to tap into power supplies illegally.

Answer 23

Angra Nuclear power plant, scheduled to be completed in 2028.

Answer 24

-Favelas are often in difficult locations -TMT not only are there poor provisions and facilities but little access to healthcare elsewhere, -Which means that diseases are common and life expectancy is low

Answer 25

-The government has invested in healthcare provisions like hospitals and medical kits -This means that people in Rio have improved access to the medical care they need, in particular emergency care and vaccinations. -Which means that IMR has fallen and LE has increased of importance to the vulnerable (young and elderly) -Healthcare is now significantly better than in the rural areas of Brazil.

Answer 26

-Favela "Cidada de Deus" (or "City of God") in the West zone -Services for pregnant women and the elderly were very poor -IMR was 21 per 1000 and LE was 45 -Only 60% of pregnant women were getting medical care

Answer 27

-Medical staff took medical kits to people’s homes in the favela of Santa Marta, where transport is a barrier to care -They were able to detect 20 disease and treat them. -As a result IMR has fallen and LE has increased

Answer 28

-There is a lack of schools and teachers (due to low pay and little training required) -Furthermore, many children need to work to improve their family income -This means that there are low levels of school enrolment, with only 50% continuing education beyond the compulsory 14 years of age -Which reduces their future employment opportunities and reduces direct tax for government

Answer 29

6-14 years

Answer 30

Rio's local authorities have invested in the education system, for example by providing poor families with school grants. This investment means that education is accessible to the less wealthy, increasing children's likelihood of completing education. Which has enabled 95% of children aged 10 and above to be literate in Rio - considerably higher than the national average.

Answer 31

Extracurricular activities like sports to give a better quality of life.

Answer 32

-School dropouts often get drawn into drug trafficking and gangs to make an income and support their families -This means that crime rates are high in the favelas -Which makes them dangerous particularly at night -Crime include drug trafficking robbery, vandalism, armed assault, car jacking, kidnapping and murder

Answer 33

In 2013, Pacifying Police Units were established to address the problem of crime in the favelas for the local community.

Answer 34

January 2018 Many blame the economic recession of 2015 which increased unemployment and caused a cut in police numbers on the streets

Answer 35

-1/3 of Rio's 3.5 million strong workforce work in the ‘informal sector’ (street vending, sewing, car washing, wasted recycling) etc. -These jobs are poorly paid, and unregulated so workers do not have employee benefits like insurance -While people work in this sector they do not pay taxes. This means no multiplier effect or investment in services by government -All this means that quality of life cannot improve

Answer 36

20% Many are unemployed because the favelas are far from the city centre (where the CBD is located)

Answer 37

The ‘Schools for Tomorrow’ programme is using education to teach practical skills to the young (and adults) living in deprived areas -TMT they'll be able to read and write, meaning they'll have opportunities for formal employment where they can earn a higher income -WM more people working in this sector, driving the multiplier effect and taxes -Hence driving investment by government to improve peoples quality of life -Free child care is provided to enable teenage parents to return to education

Answer 38

Working in jobs which are outside the official knowledge of the government.

Answer 39

-Access to services (health and education) -Access to resources (water supply and energy).

Answer 40

-reducing unemployment and crime

Answer 41

Managing: -traffic congestion -air pollution -water pollution -waste disposal

Answer 42

-Children from going to school -This means they have less employment opportunities in the future.

Answer 43

-The umber of cars in Rio has increased by 40% in the last decade. -Tunnels necessary for navigation through steep hillsides, create bottle necks. -Rio is now the most congested city in the southern hemisphere -Congestion increases air pollution and stress, and wastes time for commuters and businesses.

Answer 44

-Mist from the Atlantic mixes with vehicle exhaust fumes and pollutants from factory chimneys causing a "brown smog" -The situation is made worse by heavy traffic congestion -Air pollution causes 5000 deaths a year

Answer 45

-Poor sanitation systems -(So) The many rivers that flow into the Guanabara bay are polluted by run of from the favelas. -Open sewers cause 200 tonnes of raw sewage to be poured into the Bay each day -50 tonnes of industrial waste also enters the bay per day.

Answer 46

The worst problems are in the favelas – many are built on steep slopes and few have proper roads. This means that access for waste collection lorries is difficult. Which means that most waste is dumped, polluting water sources which causes diseases like cholera and encourages rats.

Answer 47

≈ 3.5 million tonnes

Answer 48

-'Pickers’ (informal sector) can operate on landfill sites to sort and recover materials for use - Landfill Gas is actively collected as source of energy (which can be used as fuel for vehicles or converted to electricity for other uses) -A new biogas (methane) power plant is being set up to consume 30 tonnes of rubbish a day and produce enough electricity for 1000 homes (can help the blackout problem too!)

Answer 49

-Overseas aid has been used to reduce the amount of sewage being release into the bay -12 new sewerage works have been built since 2004 at a cost of US$68 million

Answer 50

-Expansion of the metro system underneath Guanabara bay to the South zone and Barra de Tijuca -New toll roads into the central city

Answer 51

-Less water pollution could increase commercial fishing (of which there's been a 90% decline in the past 20 years), increasing the supply of food + less malnourished people = more schooled and employed

Answer 52

The Favela Bairro Project

Answer 53

An urban planning project created to improve Rio's favelas.

Answer 54

1994 - 2008

Answer 55

The authorities set aside £200 million with the aim of converting slum neighbourhoods like Rocinha to provide residents with a better quality of life.

Answer 56

-Improving infrastructure -Removing unsafe houses -The instillation of a cable car -Site and Service scheme -Self-help schemes -Police pacifying units -Health and Leisure centres -Education

Answer 57

Streets and roads have been widened and paved. This means improved access to many areas of the favelas Which means that it's easier to trade goods and services, and remove waste. -Prevents the spread of fires -Provides construction jobs

Answer 58

Houses on steep slopes, which were at risk of landslides, have been removed. The residents have been relocated to safer areas, which means they are less at risk.

Answer 59

-Adult education and training schemes were introduced including night classes -Volunteers were encouraged to teach in the favelas -The free education programme

Answer 60

In 2011, a cable car was installed at the top of the largest favela - Rocinha This meant that residents have increased access to the CBD for work (a 2 hour walk reduced to a 16 minute journey) Which means that they can earn well whilst maintaining good health (not getting up ridiculously early) -Free return ticket/ day so residents can afford to commute -Increased connectivity with bus and rail links

Answer 61

-A project was undertaken by the authorities to relocate residents into brick houses with electricity, running water, and sanitation pipes -This means that less people are sick and so less money will be spent on healthcare -Residents can apply to own property -This also means that the economy will improve due to land and insurance taxes

Answer 62

-In the favela of Rocinha (and some others), the government donated residents building materials like cement and 'breeze blocks' (concrete) -This meant that they could improve their housing to become more sustainable (upgrading stage) for example, wood replaced with brick and improved roads -Which meant that connections improved and infrastructure was safer in the case of a natural disaster -The favela is much more appealing to tourists

Answer 63

Highly trained military were sent into start the pacification process and take control of the favelas. They did this with the main aim of reducing crime and building ties with the local communities. They took control of "complex de Alemao" and 30 other smaller favelas previously controlled by criminal gangs Increased police presence (over 300 officers) has lowered crime rates and even led to tourism in the favelas People now feel safer and have built trust with the police -There has been a small reduction in death rate

Answer 64

Health centres were introduced to support those with drug and alcohol abuse This meant that their health was improved, which meant a more viable workforce and less strain on hospitals. Day care centres were introduced to allow parents with children to work. This meant that they could earn money which boosted the economy. If the children are educated they can earn even better and leave the favelas.

Answer 65

-Largest favela in Rio de Janeiro -Built on a steep hillside overlooking the city -approx. 1 km from the beach (tourism?) -population = 60,000-150,000 (possibly more)

Answer 66

-Increased quality of life -Increased mobility -Increased employment opportunities -Economic boost It has been used as a model b y the UN and replicated in other Brazilian cities.

Answer 67

-The budget of $1 billion was not enough to cover all 73 favelas at the time, let alone the over 1000 now -Residents lack the skills and money to maintain and repair the new infrastructure -Rents rose in improved favelas which means that the poorest residents are even worse off than before, not able to afford basic needs or pay the tax to stay.

Answer 68

-Industrial and port area -international airport -low quality housing and favelas

Answer 69

-Barra da Tijuca - developed into a wealthy coastal suburb (tourism) -Industrial area (Campo Grande - low q housing around steelworks) -Main Olympic stadiums

Answer 70

-Oldest area -CBD and main shopping area -Financial centre (Petrobras and CVBB)

Answer 71

-Tunnels cut through mountains -tourist hotels and beaches -wealthiest district -Rocinha (largest favela)