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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