Favela Bairro Project- Squatter Settlement case study Changing urban environments

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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 1995-2008

· Project involves 250,000 people in 73 favela

· 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

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