Favela Bairro Project- Squatter Settlement case study Changing urban environments

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

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