Favelas - challenge and solutions

A favela is an illegal settlement where people have built homes on land they do not own.

They are often built on poor land.

In addition, we find favelas

60% in the suburbs outskirts of the city

25% in the outer parts of the city

A long main roads

Near industrial areas

Some are over 40km from the city in centre

Issues in Favelas

Construction

There is limited road access due to the steepness of the slopes.

Houses were initially poorly constructed as they were built illegally. They are now mostly built from concrete and brick.

Services

Many homes use illegal connections to electricity pylons

sewers are often open drains.

Unemployment

Unemployment rates are as high as 20%,

Average incomes may be less than £75 a month.

Crime

Drug gangs dominate many favelas.

There is a high murder rate of 20 per 1000 people in many favelas.

Health

Infant mortality rates are as high as 50 per 100.

Waste can build up in the street, increasing the danger of disease.

How is urban planning improving the quality of life for the urban poor

What is the quality of life?

The extent to which a person is comfortable, healthy and able to enjoy life.

Literacy rate

Life expectancy

Infant mortality

Favela Bairro project success or failure?

self-help scheme give people tools and training to improve their homes.

site and service scheme gives people a chance to interest loan), which is connected to the city by transport links and has access to essential services.

Assess the success of a scheme to improve the quality of life for the urban poor use a case study of a city in an LIC/NEE.