URBAN - BRAZIL

Within the context of Developing Countries:

In the context of urban areas:

1.recent developments which deal with issues in shanty towns in developing world cities

Location: Rocinha - Rio de Janeiro

Rio is Brazil’s second largest city.

It is located on the south east coast.

Approximately one fifth (20%) of the 6.3 million population live in shanty towns.

The biggest shanty town in Rio is Rocinha

https://www.twigscotland.com/film/brazil-the-wealth-divide-1619/
3.25 minutes

Favelas

Favelas are found on the outskirts of the city often on hillsides as the land is not in demand as it is difficult to build on.

Rochina is a favela housing more than 100,000 people in Rio.

https://www.twigscotland.com/film/brazil-life-in-a-favela-1601/
3.01 minutes

Rio’s Shanty Town problems

Rapid growth leads to

1.Inadequate housing and services. 20% live in Shanty towns.

2.Shanty town services are non-existent leading to a low standard of living.

3.Shortage of affordable formal housing.

4.Shanty towns form on inappropriate land, e.g. liable to flooding.

5.Collapsing infrastructure, roads, sewerage etc.

6.Increasing levels of pollution.

7.Increased volume of traffic on poor roads.

8.Lack of employment increases the informal sector.

9. Crime, as many areas are controlled by local drug cartels. 

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Problems in Rio Shanty Towns

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Housing in Rochina – overcrowding & unstable buildings

Sanitation problems - Open sewers and sewage contaminating drinking water supply.

Crime – Drug cartels & poverty breeds violent crime

Pollution –open sewers and lack of rubbish collection facilities 

Unemployment – people work in the informal sector due to a lack of jobs

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Solution 1. Redevelopment

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1.Clearance of the slums: In the past the authorities tried to clear the slums - people just moved elsewhere.

2. Housing developments: Tower blocks built to re-house the residents.
However often these flats are not suitable for the residents as they are too far away from their work / family, or too expensive.

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Solution 2. Site and service schemes

3. Prefabricated houses have been built in Rocinha by the Brazilian Government, with basic facilities like toilets and electricity.

4. The migrant is given rights of ownership and then expected to complete the work at his or her expense.
As people have been given ownerships rights, they will spend their own money on the properties.

5. Improved services such as Refuse collection is organised, schools and health centres are built. This is often done as a cooperative between groups of families.

6. Security has been improved by having more police patrols, which have helped to reduce drugs related crime.
These schemes are relatively cheap and give the migrants a sense of control over their future. They also encourage community spirit.

Favela Bairro Scheme 

Solution 3. Self Help Schemes

7. Self-help schemes provide the residents of the shanty towns with the materials to improve their existing shelters.


It is a cheaper option than the site and service schemes but also takes a long time to complete and rarely done to a proper standard. 

Solution 4. New Towns – Barra da Tijuca

8. In 1960 this New Town was built to supply enough homes for those arriving in Rio. Starting out with a population of 2,500 it is now over 100,000.

Only those who can afford the house prices and to travel into Rio can afford to live here.

For any named Developing World city you have studied, describe measures taken to improve the quality of life in shanty towns.
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Marking Instructions

Many shanty towns have had their residents evicted and the houses bulldozed (1). Some of these people have been relocated into new areas with better services and amenities (1). These areas have houses made of concrete blocks (1), with better toilets and more standpipes for water (1). In some cases people are given the legal rights to the land their home is built on (1). Some self-help schemes have been put in place (1) where building materials are provided, and the residents build the houses themselves (1).