Rio de Janeiro - Case Study

Location of Rio

South east coast of Brazil South America

Regional importance of Rio

◦ Has 18 hospitals

◦ 11 colleges

◦ Thousands of construction jobs available in preparation for the 2016 Olympics

◦ Major transport hubs, supplying raw materials for regional industries

National importance of Rio

◦ Main manufacturing industry - chemicals, pharmaceuticals, clothing and processed food

◦ One of the busiest ports in Brazil - exporting coffee, sugar and iron ore

◦ 5% of Brazil's GDP (2nd highest)

International importance of Rio

◦ 2014 FIFA World Cup

◦ 2016 Summer Olympics

◦ 2 million international tourists a year - one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere

◦ Christ the Redeemer - one of the 7 wonders of the world

◦ Rio is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due its landscapes and cultural sites

◦ International hub - 5 ports and 3 airports

◦ headquarters for Petrobras, Brazil's state oil company, and many multinational corporations

2 causes of urban growth

natural increase and migration

Why is there natural increase in Rio

◦ High percentage of the population is child-bearing age - so high fertility rate

◦ Low death rate - 5.7 per 1000 people in 2015

◦ Death rate is decreasing due to better living conditions and improved health care

Why has there been rural to urban migration in Rio

◦ Pull factors - better education, employment opportunities and living conditions

◦ E.g - 1.4 million Japanese migrated to Rio for business opportunities and has one of the highest standards of living in South America - link to statistics

◦ Push factors - poor living conditions, lack of employment due to mechanisation on farms

How has urban growth created economic opportunities in Rio

Employment in:

‣ Steel works - largest in South America

‣ South zone thrives on tourism (2 mil a year) - Christ the Redeemer. Providing jobs in hospitality, retail and luxury services

‣ Oil and gas industry (Petrobras)

‣ Construction - E.g. Olympics, infrastructure like roads and cable cars

‣ Manufacturing

How has urban growth created social opportunities in Rio

◦ 97% literacy rate

◦ 99% electricity access - 2013 Simplicio hydroelectric plant and two nuclear reactors

◦ 96% access to piped water - 300km of pipes laid in 1998-2014

◦ 3.44 doctors per 1000 people compared to Brazil's average of 2.81

◦ Health care coverage in favelas increased from 4% to 70% since 2008, supported by investments for World Cup and Olympics

Environmental challenges of urban growth in Rio + Solution for each

-50 tonnes of industrial waste poured into Guanabara Bay each day - threat to wildlife(e.g. Petrobras refinery), so ships are fined for illegal discharging into the bay.

-Smog due to vehicle fumes and pollutants from factories (one of the most congested cities in South America), expansion of the metro system which limits car use and one way roads in rush hour and BRT (bus rapid transport)

-Air pollution causes 5000 deaths a year, link to above point

-3.5 million tonnes of solid waste to landfill a year, a power plant converts landfill biogas to generate electricity

Social challenges of urban growth in Rio + Solution for each

-in some favelas 4% health coverage, community-based family health teams improved vaccination from programs and health coverage to 70% in some favelas such as Santa Marta

-water supply was heavily polluted and causing cholera and 12% had no access to running water, 7 new treatment plants and 300km of new water pipes have been built

-only 50% continue education after 14 due to insufficient schools and teachers,the distance to travel to school and the need for teenagers to support their families. So, NGOs e.g. Schools of Tomorrow work with favela communities. Rochina favela opened a university + local government grants are provided to help children stay in school

-poorer people illegally tap into mains supply which is dangerous and illegal. Also frequent blackouts due to overloaded electricity supplies. So, new power lines installed and a HEP station e.g. Simplicio

-Crime like murder and drug trafficking occur regularly. So 2013 UPPs (Pacifying Police Units) - reduce crime + take control

How much did the Simplico HEP increase energy supply by

30% more

Name a water treatment plant in Rio and its benefits

the Guandu Water Treatment Plant

Processes 43 cubic meters per second, serving millions in the area. Contributing to the fact that 96% of residents have access to clean water

Economic challenges of urban growth in Rio + Solution for each

-3.5 mil workers employed in the informal economy(which means no contracts, low paid, insurance or tax contributions), 3 new schools opened in Rocinha and IT training schemes like Two Brothers

-25% unemployment in Complexo do Alemao, VivaCred - provides credit at low interest rates for people to start a business and improved transport links to the CBD e.g. cable car

Challenges in managing urban growth in Rio

Favelas - informal settlements built on steep hillsides and wastelands. They lack basic amenities and are at risk of land slides(in 2010 a slide killed 200 people and destroyed thousands of homes)

25% of Rio population live here

What and where is the largest favela in Rio

Rocinha

Steep hillside above Copacabana beach

What is the Favela Bairro Project?

A site and service scheme where the local authority provides land and services for residents to improve their own homes

£200 million

What did the Favela Bairro Project involve?

-roads enlarged and paved to improve access and for emergency services

-sewer pipes, electricity and water pipes included

-bricks and concrete supplied to replace unsafe wooden homes

-help for residents to get legal ownership of land

-job training and vocational skills provided for adults

-secured hillsides to prevent landslides