Development Rocinha /Favelas in Brazil

Development Rocinha /Favelas in Brazil
Article review, 2016
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AbstractThe Favelas in Brazil gained the political attention and power in the mid-1940s with the city and state governments drawing interests towards the improvement of such areas. It was a time when populist politicians gained leadership roles and aimed at poverty eradication and national modernization. Majorly, the politicians were concerned about the increase in crime, diseases and illiteracy levels arising from the slums. To improve the moral corruption and political radicalism, the state leaders had to abolish the slums and provide modern, sanitary and alternative housing units. In this paper, it highlights the original settlement and its role in contributing to the current state of conditions in the Favelas. It is indicated that the housing problem was the major contributing factor for the growth of Favelas in Brazil.

In a bid to demonstrate the developments of Favelas since its inception, the paper majorly articulates on the main elements of Favela removal, public housing, and interventions to urbanize the area. As discussed, the paper holds concrete background information regarding the establishment, current life situation and the contributing factors on how the community transits in different phases of development. Moreover, the governance of the property in Favelas is reviewed with government contributions towards legal rights on real estate. Further, this paper identifies various programs and interventions that are currently being implemented and plans for the development of the Favelas in Brazil. With this, it, therefore, holds that the maintenance of resources and sustainable consideration on development will see a new shape of the Favelas.

Table of Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u Development Rocinha /Favelas in Brazil PAGEREF _Toc470767109 h 1Declaration of authenticity PAGEREF _Toc470767110 h 1Abstract PAGEREF _Toc470767111 h 2Introduction PAGEREF _Toc470767112 h 3Background information PAGEREF _Toc470767113 h 3Literature review PAGEREF _Toc470767114 h 4Discussion PAGEREF _Toc470767115 h 5Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc470767116 h 7References PAGEREF _Toc470767117 h 8

IntroductionThe Favelas in Brazil began at a period of transition from the Empire to the Republic in the nineteenth century. The country faced significant changes in the economy and political background that lead to the massive growth of slums in size and number thus contributing to a new unique shape and look. Initially, the community living in such areas was in squatter settlements that resulted from internal migrants and the itinerant laborers (“Favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Past and Present,” 2010, N.pag). The organization of the Favela residents into citizen’s groups gave it entirely new looks and sprang a new shape that evolved from the slums, squatter settlements into Favelas. Agencies and groupings of the residents helped in the liberation of public matters such as the community governance, provision of public services such as sanitation and medical care (McCann, 2014, p. 34).
The human race across the globe is in a bid to maintaining efficient utilization of resources through respect for resources and reduction of consumption thus contributing to the reduction of poverty. The sustainable living by the developed and developing countries among its citizens is achieved through the moderation of resource consumption. It thus leads to the uplifting of people’s health and the purpose of life. The development of the Favelas in Brazil shows a substantial and gradual growth which can further be propagated through the use of various contributions to the maintenance of resources. Different approaches to this effect on the development and growth of Favelas are attributed to retrofits, green and local economy building. Also, the community has positively adopted the waste education in the country thus furthering the development agenda (Alvarado, 2012, N.pag.)
Background informationStatistics indicate that there are over six hundred Favelas distributed across Brazil with massive populations of dozens of people. The Favelas in Brazil resulted from the need of households by workers and immigrants. People seeking employment opportunities flocked the cities causing scarcity of land and depletion of available space for housing. They, therefore, chose to live in neighborhoods and occupied territory in the hillsides (Mayhew, Filho & Canallero, 2012, p. 37-42).
Rio is among the first cities in Brazil to have squatter settlements in Brazil. The Favelas portray uniqueness in their formation and layout in the steep hillsides. A contradiction is depicted in the life of the rich and the poor since the poor occupy the steep slopes that have scenic views while the rich live on the bottom side. The residents living in Favelas are always criticized and associated with the many negative instances and problems in Rio. They are related to the increase in urban crime rate, violence, poverty, and promiscuity. Different people hold a differing opinion on residents of Favelas with some viewing them as a propagator of poverty while others see them as drivers of the industrial economy from the cheap labor they offer (Differences of Development in Rio de Janeiro, 2016, N.pag).
The Rocinha is the oldest Favela, and it started in the year 1940s by squatters of Sao Conrado. Over the years, its residents have teamed up and developed the Favela making it favorable for human survival. The Favela has considerably expanded with school centers, health care facilities, and the food outlets. Despite being occupied illegally, the government has accepted the permanence of the Favela, and currently, it holds approximately 250,000 residents. Life in different Favela across Brazil is unique and distinct from each community. People lead their life depending on the immediate community culture, food, clothing and business premises available (Cuvi, 2012,p 403). However, the cost of living in such areas is expensive and unfavorable basing on the low incomes among the residents. It thus requires government intervention to reform and develop the Favelas.
Literature reviewState laws and rules governing specific entities in Brazil such as land and real estate plays a key role in the development of Favelas. There exist complicated standards and laws governing land in Brazil. In areas where the Favelas are built, the ownership acquired by an individual only relate to the roofing of any building and excludes the particular land on which its built. People gain roof rights which can be transferred to another entity. The full ownership of the house is acquired upon successive stay of five years regardless of whether one built or acquired it through buying (Antebi, 2012, N.pag). The laws, neighborhood associations and the social pressure bars from buying houses for resale with aims of making profits. Initially, houses were built as huts by first freed slaves who were the early settlers, but on the expansion of the population, the building also advanced and people were now building houses with sturdier materials and bricks.
The reduction in crime rate facilitated the development of the Favelas as the real estate values shifted up. It was after the introduction of the police pacification unit by the government. Further, the constant growth of population in these areas created opportunities for entrepreneur and business individual to tap the new markets. The electrification and water connections further fueled the development of the Favelas (Alvarado, 2012, N.pag). Despite these developments, the government is yet to establish concrete recognitions of the property rights on Favelas. They face the risk of losing ownership upon the uplifting of these rights. The Favelas only generate their power and ability to withstand any threats due to the gun control, drug cartels and the risks associated with land grabbing (Portes & Perlman, 1977, p. 745). The existing literature, however, fails to recognize the existing programs that are currently being implemented or are stipulated in the goals for urbanization and improvement of the Favelas in Brazil.
DiscussionCurrently, some factors and programs already contribute to sustainable development of the Rio de Janeiro’s slums and the development of different Favelas as compared to the existing literature on the elaboration of the Favelas. The model that leads to sustainable development adopts a series of factors with the first being the pacification (Alvarado, 2012, N.pag). It contributes to harmonious living among the residents and attracts the outside parties thus leading to urbanization. Initially, the trio streets were the most dangerous with the reports of crimes and killings being high as compared to the current situation. The crime rate has dramatically decreased, and it’s no longer considered as a dangerous city to live. The introduction of the pacifying police units in Favelas is a program that has reduced the crime rate in the area. The military in the units prevents the oppression of the residents and improvement of the social services and life in the Favelas. As more drug dealers are being eliminated, it has made it possible for the introduction of “Morar Carioca urbanization plan.”
Another major program is the project to change all the Favelas into a neighborhood. It is a program that is partly sponsored by “the federal government” and “the Inter-American development bank.” Its primary objective is the provision of better housing for the community through improvements in the existing and construction of new houses. The program has currently commenced with interventions to improve the sewage, running water and rainwater collection in the Favelas as the residents rely on the open gutters to serve the same purpose. Also, there are plans to establish transportation facilities such as stairs, elevators, and cable cars to aid in the maneuvering along the steep residential homes in the area. Also, household structures that are built in dangerous areas are to be relocated to safe areas (“Favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Past and Present,” 2010, N.pag).
The first phase is comprised of successful improvements and has already had impacts on the residents. Several projects have been completed and are highly publicized to show impressive achievements. Such celebrated performances include “The Rocinha housing program,” “child development center” and “the work and income Center” at the Providencia Favela (Alvarado, 2012, N.pag). Therefore, this program upon implementation and completion would see the Favelas ultimately shaped into a city by the year 2020.
Moreover, the already built houses by the residents require an intervention to improve the living conditions regarding health life and the structure of the buildings. There have been motives to interfere with the public space and the people daily routine through going into their houses for renovations and improvements where necessary. The architects and social workers will carry a series of tasks into people’s households to accomplish this objective. They will improve on ventilation through the installation of windows, sanitary facilities, and waterproofing of ceilings. The projects of the housing plan and services will adopt responsible practices that lead to sustainable development. These methods will incorporate water and energy improvements such as the use of LED lamps, solar water heaters, and rainwater collection. Further, it will adopt the waste management control procedures and reforestation of the areas (Alvarado, 2012, N.pag).
Further, the current programs aim at improving the local economies through promotion of tourism and community building. The program aims at teaching the residents skills and knowledge of becoming tour guides. Tourists are attracted by the settlements, the view and the community culture of the people in Favelas (Freire-Medeiros, 2008,N.pag). It is crucial for locals to work as tour guides since they promote the good being and improve their living standards. Personal growth and development are significant as it leads to the elaboration of the community as a whole.
ConclusionThe Favelas in Brazil have experienced a gradual growth and development with a shift from the slums, settlements to modern houses and neighborhoods. The projections put in place indents at seen the Favelas develop to becoming a city within a city. Despite the cost of life being high, the residents in the Favelas teams up, and in upholding the community culture, they result into adequate developments and self-reliance. For instance, the Rocinha Favela enjoys social facilities such as education and health centers that arise from the communal collaboration.
All these projections will, therefore, be facilitated upon full implementation of sustainability and efficient maintenance of resources. Not only in the Favelas, but the developing and developed countries have also adopted these elements to moderate the resource consumption and utilize efficiently the resources. The introduction of programs by outside bodies and governmental organizations also has substantial impacts towards the adoption and ownership of projects by the locals. The development agenda of the Favelas since its inception is, therefore, growing substantially, and forecasts of further growth are evidently seen.
ReferencesAlvarado, P. (2012). The Urbanization of Rio de Janeiro’s Slums, a Model for Sustainable Development. TreeHugger. Retrieved 29 December 2016, from http://www.treehugger.com/urban-design/the-urbanization-of-rio-de-janeiro-s-slums-a-model-for-sustainable-development.htmlAntebi, l. (2012). Property Rights and the Development of Favelas. Understanding the Favelas. Retrieved 29 December 2016, from https://lilyantebi.wordpress.com/culture/property-right/Cuvi, J. (2012). Favela: Four Decades of Living on the Edge in Rio de Janeiro – By Janice Perlman. International Journal Of Urban And Regional Research, 36(2), 403-404.
Differences of Development in Rio de Janeiro. (2016) (1st ed.). Retrieved from https://www.rgs.org/NR/rdonlyres/FFEEA688-00DD-43FD-8DFA-167E7C60EA5E/0/F3DevelopmentinRio.pdf
Favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Past and Present. (2010). Brown University Library. Retrieved 29 December 2016, from https://library.brown.edu/create/fivecenturiesofchange/chapters/chapter-9/favelas-in-rio-de-janeiro-past-and-present/
Freire-Medeiros, B. (2008). Selling the favela: thoughts and polemics about a tourist destination. Socialsciences.scielo.org. Retrieved 29 December 2016, from http://socialsciences.scielo.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-69092008000100001
Mayhew, D., Filho, S. C., & Canallero, R. J. (2012). Inside the favelas: Rio de Janeiro. New York: Glitterati Incorporated.
McCann, B. (2014). Hard times in the marvelous city: From dictatorship to democracy in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.
Portes, A. & Perlman, J. (1977). The Myth of Marginality: Urban Poverty and Politics in Rio De Janeiro. Contemporary Sociology, 6(6), 745. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2066409