Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- Squatter Settlement case study

 

Facts:

·         Rio is in south east Brazil

·         It has 600 squatter settlements (which are known as Favelas)

·         Favela Bairro Project started in 1995

·         Project involves 250,000 people

·         40% of $300 million funding was from the local government

Social improvements:

·         Daycare and afterschool schemes to look after children whilst their parents work

·         Adult education classes to improve literacy

·         Services to help drug addicts, alcoholics and victims of domestic violence

Economic Improvements:

·         Residents can apply to legally own their properties

·         Training schemes help people to get better jobs

Environmental Improvements:

·         Replacement of wooden buildings with brick

·         Homes on dangerously steep slopes are removed

·         Widening and paving of streets to allow easier access (especially for emergency services)

·         Provision of basic services such as clean water, electric and weekly rubbish collection

Community involvement:

·         Residents choose which improvements they want in their favela

·         Neighbourhood associations form to help communicate and make decisions

·         New services are staffed by residents, providing training and income

Successes of the project:

·         Standard of living has improved

·         Property values have doubled

·         Local businesses have double