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
