Rio de Janeiro Case Study.

Rio de Janeiro Case Study

Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts, with a huge gap between rich and poor.

By this huge inequality, what caused the multitude of problems in Rio? And what did Rio do to solve part of those problems?

Rio de Janeiro is enduring a lot of problems such as inequality, landslips, bad air pollution, favelas, rapid population growth, difficulties in transports and environmental issues.

To start with, the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro shows a huge contrast between the poorest families and the “richest” ones with the numerous favelas. Millions of people moved from rural areas to that kind of urban areas, aiming for better standards of living and a job. As there is a lack of houses for everyone, those migrants have to build their own homes often on “unstable” sectors. These types of houses are self-built houses and settled on land lacking in infrastructure for example on hill’s slides. Therefore, it causes landslides, several massive extensions for instance on some coastal areas, as there aren’t much space and many other problems. This contrast also means higher crime rate mainly because of a money issue. 1 rich person earn 12% of the income, 50 poor people together earn 13% of the income. Another element about these favelas is a rapid natural population growth; this growth is still over a million a decade (10 years). Therefore, education and health services are inadequate as there are too many people. The solutions brought by the government are that favelas are permanent, provide essential services and recognise the favelas by the city: officially named roads, water supply pipes, relocation for families who were living in high-risk areas (landslides for ex.). Then to prevent from crime, the government decided to generate small employments (dressmaker for example), improve education and give residents access to credit so that they can buy construction materials and improve their homes. On the education side, some association like “school grants” (Bolsa Escola), encourage families to keep their children at school with a monthly financial help.

A second major problem in Rio is about transport. First, the mountainous relief of Rio limits space for building and makes the development of transport route difficult and costly. Second, there are numerous traffic congestions which endure slow-moving traffic and therefore air pollution with photochemical smog. The government reduced public transport prices such as bus service, which covers the whole city, only cost US$0.50 per journey. Same for the metro system, one ticket cost US$0.66. And then lastly there are two major roads to try and ease traffic congestion: Linha Vermelha and Linha Amarela.

Last but not least, Rio is enduring a third problem linking to environment. Raw sewage has been draining straight into the bay because of population growth and industrial growth worsening this issue. Today, there is no marine life left in the bay, commercial fishing has therefore decreased of 90% in the last 20 years. The only few solutions for this issue are: improving sanitation and improving sewerage systems.

In conclusion, Rio de Janeiro is facing three major problems: favelas, transport and its mountainous relief and this environmental issue. All three have some solutions to it but

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