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Vision of the future or criminal eyesore: what should Rio do with its favelas? | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The | The |
granite hump of Providencia gazes down like a stern guardian on the | granite hump of Providencia gazes down like a stern guardian on the |
old port of Rio de Janeiro. It offers probably the finest viewpoint | old port of Rio de Janeiro. It offers probably the finest viewpoint |
over any city I know. Rio’s great bay stretches inland to distant | over any city I know. Rio’s great bay stretches inland to distant |
mountains. Below lies what was once the world’s third largest port, | mountains. Below lies what was once the world’s third largest port, |
now mostly silent. Along the coast a parade of beach resorts march to | now mostly silent. Along the coast a parade of beach resorts march to |
the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain, with Copacabana and Ipamena hiding | the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain, with Copacabana and Ipamena hiding |
beyond. Over them all towers a range of steep rain-forested hills, | beyond. Over them all towers a range of steep rain-forested hills, |
crowned by the art deco beacon of Christ the Redeemer. The sight is | crowned by the art deco beacon of Christ the Redeemer. The sight is |
breath-taking. | breath-taking. |
I | I |
was admiring this view from the top of the hill when I felt a hand | was admiring this view from the top of the hill when I felt a hand |
tugging at my belt. In this city of muggers, and eager to avoid a | tugging at my belt. In this city of muggers, and eager to avoid a |
scene, I moved quickly along the handrail, only to be alarmed when | scene, I moved quickly along the handrail, only to be alarmed when |
the hand came and resumed its grasp. I then noticed it belonged to a | the hand came and resumed its grasp. I then noticed it belonged to a |
blind boy with severe disabilities. I had been blocking his only route | blind boy with severe disabilities. I had been blocking his only route |
home. It was a wretched scene amid that firmament of wonder. | home. It was a wretched scene amid that firmament of wonder. |
In | In |
most cities, Providencia would be a Montmartre or Nob Hill, a luxury | most cities, Providencia would be a Montmartre or Nob Hill, a luxury |
retreat above the city smoke. Yet it is Rio’s oldest favela, | retreat above the city smoke. Yet it is Rio’s oldest favela, |
settled in 1897 by a group of returning war veterans. Its cheap | settled in 1897 by a group of returning war veterans. Its cheap |
houses remain to this day, mostly unserviced and stinking of sewage, | houses remain to this day, mostly unserviced and stinking of sewage, |
inaccessible except by precipitous steps. | inaccessible except by precipitous steps. |
At | At |
the last count there were roughly 600 such “informal” | the last count there were roughly 600 such “informal” |
communities, accommodating a quarter of the city's 6 million inhabitants. | communities, accommodating a quarter of the city's 6 million inhabitants. |
Over the past half century Rio’s centre of gravity has, as with | Over the past half century Rio’s centre of gravity has, as with |
many cities, drifted west from its original home. It now sprawls for | many cities, drifted west from its original home. It now sprawls for |
over 20 miles of beaches and promontories, dramatically interspersed | over 20 miles of beaches and promontories, dramatically interspersed |
with mountains. Clinging to their slopes are squatter settlements, | with mountains. Clinging to their slopes are squatter settlements, |
often lying immediately adjacent to rich districts “on the asphalt” | often lying immediately adjacent to rich districts “on the asphalt” |
below. | below. |
All | All |
developing cities – and most developed ones – have their slums. | developing cities – and most developed ones – have their slums. |
But Rio’s are remarkable in their ubiquity and in their survival in | But Rio’s are remarkable in their ubiquity and in their survival in |
the same locations. While those on the flat can be reached by road, most | the same locations. While those on the flat can be reached by road, most |
are stacked on hillsides, hard to reach on wheels, flooded in storms | are stacked on hillsides, hard to reach on wheels, flooded in storms |
and lacking sewerage and other public services. Until recently the | and lacking sewerage and other public services. Until recently the |
favelas – named after scrub plants that once occupied them – were | favelas – named after scrub plants that once occupied them – were |
no-go areas for the police or government officials, and remained in | no-go areas for the police or government officials, and remained in |
thrall to feuding drugs gangs. They testify to the futility of | thrall to feuding drugs gangs. They testify to the futility of |
criminalising the supply of what is a standard consumer product. The | criminalising the supply of what is a standard consumer product. The |
favelas are Blade Runner meets Italian hill town. | favelas are Blade Runner meets Italian hill town. |
With | With |
the World Cup and Olympics looming, these places are testing | the World Cup and Olympics looming, these places are testing |
Brazil’s civic conscience. Most cities would by now have contrived | Brazil’s civic conscience. Most cities would by now have contrived |
to clear such settlements, rehousing their inhabitants with varying | to clear such settlements, rehousing their inhabitants with varying |
degrees of compulsion elsewhere. The process can be seen from Mexico | degrees of compulsion elsewhere. The process can be seen from Mexico |
City to Lagos, from Johannesburg to Bangalore, or in London or Paris | City to Lagos, from Johannesburg to Bangalore, or in London or Paris |
a century ago. Older areas are gentrified and this in turn draws tax | a century ago. Older areas are gentrified and this in turn draws tax |
revenue, private investment and political clout to deliver new urban | revenue, private investment and political clout to deliver new urban |
infrastructure. Even in Rio this is happening to such historic | infrastructure. Even in Rio this is happening to such historic |
central areas as Lapa and Santa Teresa, where old streets are | central areas as Lapa and Santa Teresa, where old streets are |
starting to draw restaurants, shops and entertainment back to | starting to draw restaurants, shops and entertainment back to |
depressed quarters. | depressed quarters. |
In | In |
Rio’s favelas, however, any such process has largely stalled. Their control | Rio’s favelas, however, any such process has largely stalled. Their control |
by the drug lords kept all forms of government, including | by the drug lords kept all forms of government, including |
redevelopment, at bay, often at the point of a gun. A 1988 | redevelopment, at bay, often at the point of a gun. A 1988 |
constitutional reform gave residents a degree of security of tenure, | constitutional reform gave residents a degree of security of tenure, |
usually after five years of occupation, and title deeds are now reckoned | usually after five years of occupation, and title deeds are now reckoned |
to cover between a third and two-thirds of favela residents. | to cover between a third and two-thirds of favela residents. |
Compulsory eviction supposedly requires local consultation and the | Compulsory eviction supposedly requires local consultation and the |
availability of alternative housing near at hand. | availability of alternative housing near at hand. |
Such | Such |
security has not been totally effective, though. The Popular Committee for | security has not been totally effective, though. The Popular Committee for |
the World Cup and the Olympics, which has been behind recent protests | the World Cup and the Olympics, which has been behind recent protests |
against the football tournament, claims no fewer than 170,000 people are being | against the football tournament, claims no fewer than 170,000 people are being |
removed from their homes for the games. But activists have held out against the sort of mass clearance experienced | removed from their homes for the games. But activists have held out against the sort of mass clearance experienced |
by British cities in the 1960s and 1970s and by Beijing before its | by British cities in the 1960s and 1970s and by Beijing before its |
Olympics. Rio has failed to remove the Vila Autódromo favela, which | Olympics. Rio has failed to remove the Vila Autódromo favela, which |
still stands defiantly by the fence of the new Olympic park. | still stands defiantly by the fence of the new Olympic park. |
For | For |
followers of post-modernism’s “new urbanism”, Rio is an | followers of post-modernism’s “new urbanism”, Rio is an |
exciting, infuriating place. As an urban form the favela is | exciting, infuriating place. As an urban form the favela is |
inherently robust, green and “sustainable”. It can offer | inherently robust, green and “sustainable”. It can offer |
high-density, low-cost living on locations penetrating the city centre | high-density, low-cost living on locations penetrating the city centre |
and within reasonable reach of work. Its residents rely on walking | and within reasonable reach of work. Its residents rely on walking |
and two-wheeled vehicles – taxis are ferocious motorbikes – creating close-knit, self-reliant communities in which ties of family | and two-wheeled vehicles – taxis are ferocious motorbikes – creating close-knit, self-reliant communities in which ties of family |
and neighbour are strong. They delineate their own boundaries of | and neighbour are strong. They delineate their own boundaries of |
loyalty and defensible space. | loyalty and defensible space. |
As | As |
a result the world flocks to study them. They have become | a result the world flocks to study them. They have become |
intellectual works-in-progress to universities such as Pennsylvania, | intellectual works-in-progress to universities such as Pennsylvania, |
Columbia and the LSE. Pennsylvania even built its own campus “pop-up | Columbia and the LSE. Pennsylvania even built its own campus “pop-up |
favela” for study purposes. A leading NGO champion, Theresa | favela” for study purposes. A leading NGO champion, Theresa |
Williamson of Catalytic Communities, sees the favelas as the “ideal | Williamson of Catalytic Communities, sees the favelas as the “ideal |
affordable housing stock”. Their buildings are mostly brick-built | affordable housing stock”. Their buildings are mostly brick-built |
and sound, maximising every inch of space and fashioned to occupants’ | and sound, maximising every inch of space and fashioned to occupants’ |
needs. They are low-energy to a fault. | needs. They are low-energy to a fault. |
The | The |
challenge is somehow to upgrade them to meet even the minimal | challenge is somehow to upgrade them to meet even the minimal |
standards expected for modern urban living, without lurching into old-fashioned, state-sponsored clearance and renewal. It is the | standards expected for modern urban living, without lurching into old-fashioned, state-sponsored clearance and renewal. It is the |
challenge of the “smart cities” movement. Rio’s authorities | challenge of the “smart cities” movement. Rio’s authorities |
have long acknowledged the policy: Favela Bairro in the 1990s saw | have long acknowledged the policy: Favela Bairro in the 1990s saw |
them as “civic assets” rather than “aberrations”. At its most | them as “civic assets” rather than “aberrations”. At its most |
basic, it secured the widespread concreting of alleys and stairways | basic, it secured the widespread concreting of alleys and stairways |
and introduced some sewerage. The theft of electricity was tolerated, | and introduced some sewerage. The theft of electricity was tolerated, |
through illicit wires that form a lethal canopy over back lanes. | through illicit wires that form a lethal canopy over back lanes. |
Favela | Favela |
Bairro was assessed by the RioOnWatch website as having upgraded | Bairro was assessed by the RioOnWatch website as having upgraded |
168, or roughly a quarter, of the larger favelas by 2010. That year it was superseded by the Olympic “legacy” | 168, or roughly a quarter, of the larger favelas by 2010. That year it was superseded by the Olympic “legacy” |
programme of Morar Carioca. Launched by the flamboyant | programme of Morar Carioca. Launched by the flamboyant |
mayor, Eduardo Paes, this allotted $4.5bn (£2.7bn) to achieve the complete | mayor, Eduardo Paes, this allotted $4.5bn (£2.7bn) to achieve the complete |
“urbanisation” of the favelas by 2020. The city would be improved | “urbanisation” of the favelas by 2020. The city would be improved |
from the ground up and through “the participation of organised | from the ground up and through “the participation of organised |
society … through assemblies and meetings in the communities”. In | society … through assemblies and meetings in the communities”. In |
future, the favela would be seen not as Rio’s problem but “the | future, the favela would be seen not as Rio’s problem but “the |
solution … the visionary answer to how the world is going to deal | solution … the visionary answer to how the world is going to deal |
with the third of humanity who will live in informal settlements by | with the third of humanity who will live in informal settlements by |
2050”. | 2050”. |
Morar | Morar |
Carioca was undeniably an imaginative exercise in sensitive urban | Carioca was undeniably an imaginative exercise in sensitive urban |
renewal. Prepared with the Institute of Brazilian Architects , it | renewal. Prepared with the Institute of Brazilian Architects , it |
would retrofit the city’s entire stock of low-cost housing, and do | would retrofit the city’s entire stock of low-cost housing, and do |
so free of the cost, misery and social disruption of traditional | so free of the cost, misery and social disruption of traditional |
urban renewal. Houses would be left to their owners. The state would renew the public space round them. | urban renewal. Houses would be left to their owners. The state would renew the public space round them. |
The | The |
spirit of Morar Carioca lives, but those involved in it have been | spirit of Morar Carioca lives, but those involved in it have been |
disappointed. A visit to the architects’ institute is a gloomy | disappointed. A visit to the architects’ institute is a gloomy |
experience, as its president, Sergio Magalhaes, shuffles maps and | experience, as its president, Sergio Magalhaes, shuffles maps and |
plans from which one project after another has been removed. What had | plans from which one project after another has been removed. What had |
been “a special moment in mobilising the efforts, hopes and | been “a special moment in mobilising the efforts, hopes and |
expectations of the people”, he says, had become merely an exercise | expectations of the people”, he says, had become merely an exercise |
in using the Olympics to direct investment to rich and expanding | in using the Olympics to direct investment to rich and expanding |
areas. | areas. |
The | The |
promised investment has not been forthcoming, while government effort | promised investment has not been forthcoming, while government effort |
has been directed at favela “pacification”. Initiated in 2008, this rightly acknowledged that lasting improvement of favela living | has been directed at favela “pacification”. Initiated in 2008, this rightly acknowledged that lasting improvement of favela living |
conditions required government control of law and order. Otherwise | conditions required government control of law and order. Otherwise |
nothing would happen. This took the form of mass police incursions | nothing would happen. This took the form of mass police incursions |
into one favela after another, driving the gang leaders out – even if | into one favela after another, driving the gang leaders out – even if |
they merely moved to others. The police then remained as a permanent | they merely moved to others. The police then remained as a permanent |
presence. Favela police commanders would become, in effect, local | presence. Favela police commanders would become, in effect, local |
mayors. | mayors. |
The | The |
programme has had its failures. Last week a police killing in the Pavão-Pavãozhino favela near Copacabana showed how easily the police | programme has had its failures. Last week a police killing in the Pavão-Pavãozhino favela near Copacabana showed how easily the police |
can revert to old and brutal habits. The new police station in Alemão | can revert to old and brutal habits. The new police station in Alemão |
is reminiscent of Ulster’s fortified citadels during the troubles. | is reminiscent of Ulster’s fortified citadels during the troubles. |
They are hardly a sign of hearts and minds being won and have led the geographer and local blogger, Chris Gaffney, to describe | They are hardly a sign of hearts and minds being won and have led the geographer and local blogger, Chris Gaffney, to describe |
it as having merely “replaced one arbitrary and militarised system | it as having merely “replaced one arbitrary and militarised system |
of justice with another”. But | of justice with another”. But |
killings in pacified favelas, by both police and gangs, have halved | killings in pacified favelas, by both police and gangs, have halved |
over the past five years. If pacification is not an end in itself it | over the past five years. If pacification is not an end in itself it |
is the essential beginning of a process, the rule of some sort of law | is the essential beginning of a process, the rule of some sort of law |
on which regeneration can proceed. | on which regeneration can proceed. |
The | The |
trouble, as always, is the lack of resources for that regeneration. | trouble, as always, is the lack of resources for that regeneration. |
Brazil, like most modern political economies, is in thrall to | Brazil, like most modern political economies, is in thrall to |
mega-events. Glory lies in the grand gesture, the big scheme, the | mega-events. Glory lies in the grand gesture, the big scheme, the |
glamour project. Rio’s current pride and joy is the redevelopment | glamour project. Rio’s current pride and joy is the redevelopment |
of its disused port area, the Porto Maravilha project. An overhead | of its disused port area, the Porto Maravilha project. An overhead |
motorway is being buried underground and a promenade laid out between | motorway is being buried underground and a promenade laid out between |
the downtown and the water. Trump towers and a luxury hotel are to | the downtown and the water. Trump towers and a luxury hotel are to |
rise beside it. Historic 19th-century | rise beside it. Historic 19th-century |
streets are being restored and an old slave dock uncovered. A | streets are being restored and an old slave dock uncovered. A |
curiously titled “museum of the future” designed by Santiago | curiously titled “museum of the future” designed by Santiago |
Calatrava is emerging on an old quay. | Calatrava is emerging on an old quay. |
This | This |
is easy renewal, of a virtually empty zone of the old city. Nor has | is easy renewal, of a virtually empty zone of the old city. Nor has |
there been much attempt to repopulate it with socially mixed housing. An effort to clear a third of the adjacent favela of Providencia was | there been much attempt to repopulate it with socially mixed housing. An effort to clear a third of the adjacent favela of Providencia was |
balked by furious protests. A local hero, the artist Maurício Hora, | balked by furious protests. A local hero, the artist Maurício Hora, |
campaigned against eviction by photographing threatened residents and | campaigned against eviction by photographing threatened residents and |
projecting their faces on to their outside walls. | projecting their faces on to their outside walls. |
Providencia | Providencia |
was eventually awarded not improved utilities but one of the more | was eventually awarded not improved utilities but one of the more |
bizarre gestures of urban renewal I have seen. A heavily | bizarre gestures of urban renewal I have seen. A heavily |
over-engineered $35m cable car runs just half way up its slope and | over-engineered $35m cable car runs just half way up its slope and |
then appears to have been abandoned. A similar contraption in | then appears to have been abandoned. A similar contraption in |
London’s Docklands runs at barely 10% of capacity. Such | London’s Docklands runs at barely 10% of capacity. Such |
investments are beloved of mayors, sponsors and contractors, but | investments are beloved of mayors, sponsors and contractors, but |
seldom of residents. | seldom of residents. |
A | A |
longer cable car, meanwhile, carries a trickle of passengers over the | longer cable car, meanwhile, carries a trickle of passengers over the |
roofs of the sprawling favela of Complexo do Alemão in north Rio. Its otherworldly structure, constantly moving cars and white-gloved attendants would seem more appropriate to a ski-lift in Gstaadt. It stops | roofs of the sprawling favela of Complexo do Alemão in north Rio. Its otherworldly structure, constantly moving cars and white-gloved attendants would seem more appropriate to a ski-lift in Gstaadt. It stops |
near few houses and is unavailable for heavy goods. A ground-level | near few houses and is unavailable for heavy goods. A ground-level |
funicular would have made more sense. | funicular would have made more sense. |
Attempts | Attempts |
to upgrade low-lying favelas are eerily reminiscent of similar | to upgrade low-lying favelas are eerily reminiscent of similar |
British projects of the 1960s and 70s. I walked through what is left | British projects of the 1960s and 70s. I walked through what is left |
of Manguinhos with Leona Deckelbaum, a local housing official turned | of Manguinhos with Leona Deckelbaum, a local housing official turned |
activist. It was old-fashioned federal slum redevelopment: regimented | activist. It was old-fashioned federal slum redevelopment: regimented |
tenements gave on to desolate open spaces, with allotments and kiosks | tenements gave on to desolate open spaces, with allotments and kiosks |
in which local people were expected to find work. While a library has | in which local people were expected to find work. While a library has |
been opened, most of the area was smashed and deserted, the kiosks | been opened, most of the area was smashed and deserted, the kiosks |
unused. | unused. |
Next | Next |
door, across a no man's land of rubble, lay the remains of the surviving | door, across a no man's land of rubble, lay the remains of the surviving |
favela: a warren of lanes, alleys, workshops, bars, undrained and | favela: a warren of lanes, alleys, workshops, bars, undrained and |
filthy. The place was regularly flooded by a polluted canal, but it | filthy. The place was regularly flooded by a polluted canal, but it |
was also a live community. “If only the money | was also a live community. “If only the money |
would have been spent just fitting drains and sewerage into the old | would have been spent just fitting drains and sewerage into the old |
favela,” Deckelbaum said. “But then, sewers do not look good at world urbanisation | favela,” Deckelbaum said. “But then, sewers do not look good at world urbanisation |
conferences – not like cable cars.” | conferences – not like cable cars.” |
The | The |
same lesson is evident on the outskirts of the city at Cidade de | same lesson is evident on the outskirts of the city at Cidade de |
Deus. This was a state resettlement estate laid out in the 1960s and | Deus. This was a state resettlement estate laid out in the 1960s and |
notorious as setting for the movie, City of God. It was built with | notorious as setting for the movie, City of God. It was built with |
only the most rudimentary infrastructure and left to run itself, | only the most rudimentary infrastructure and left to run itself, |
which soon brought it under the aegis of drug gangs. With no | which soon brought it under the aegis of drug gangs. With no |
government or planning and few public services, the area’s | government or planning and few public services, the area’s |
population grew to 70,000. Floors were added, yards were filled in, | population grew to 70,000. Floors were added, yards were filled in, |
lanes disappeared. The original layout was swiftly obliterated. | lanes disappeared. The original layout was swiftly obliterated. |
Cidade de Deus has recently been “pacified”. It yet could offer a | Cidade de Deus has recently been “pacified”. It yet could offer a |
better template of self-improved housing than a cluster of frigid | better template of self-improved housing than a cluster of frigid |
municipal towers. | municipal towers. |
Yet | Yet |
that prospect for Rio has its own bugbears. After pacification, | that prospect for Rio has its own bugbears. After pacification, |
favelas adjacent to the coast such as Vidigal and Rocinha have seen | favelas adjacent to the coast such as Vidigal and Rocinha have seen |
rents and house prices surge, inviting complaints of gentrification. | rents and house prices surge, inviting complaints of gentrification. |
“Favela chic” has entered the language. TripAdvisor exults over | “Favela chic” has entered the language. TripAdvisor exults over |
“authentic eco-friendly favela” tours. Rocinha has coffee and | “authentic eco-friendly favela” tours. Rocinha has coffee and |
sushi bars. A guest-house hotel on the summit of Vidigal has a view | sushi bars. A guest-house hotel on the summit of Vidigal has a view |
to rival any on the Côte d’Azur, even if it is desperate to reach. | to rival any on the Côte d’Azur, even if it is desperate to reach. |
Hip restaurants and alternative bed-and-breakfasts are appearing on | Hip restaurants and alternative bed-and-breakfasts are appearing on |
the back of discreet coach tours. | the back of discreet coach tours. |
This | This |
presents Rio with the classic urban paradox. The superb location of | presents Rio with the classic urban paradox. The superb location of |
many favelas gives them immense imputed value from gentrification and | many favelas gives them immense imputed value from gentrification and |
tourism, value that in most cities would have long drawn to them new | tourism, value that in most cities would have long drawn to them new |
residents, employers and investors. They in turn would have generated | residents, employers and investors. They in turn would have generated |
resources for better services. | resources for better services. |
Yet | Yet |
favelas are proud places whose residents enjoy a measure of security | favelas are proud places whose residents enjoy a measure of security |
of tenure and a growing civic confidence. “We want to be happy and | of tenure and a growing civic confidence. “We want to be happy and |
walk freely in the favela where we were born,” states a protest | walk freely in the favela where we were born,” states a protest |
banner in Manguinhos. Another at Vila Autódromo boasts “a peaceful | banner in Manguinhos. Another at Vila Autódromo boasts “a peaceful |
and orderly neighbourhood since 1967”. As these places are upgraded | and orderly neighbourhood since 1967”. As these places are upgraded |
and made secure, there is an inevitable impact on their desirability | and made secure, there is an inevitable impact on their desirability |
and price – and on the desire of some residents to realise such | and price – and on the desire of some residents to realise such |
assets as they have and move elsewhere. | assets as they have and move elsewhere. |
All | All |
forms of social housing sooner or later must grapple with rights of | forms of social housing sooner or later must grapple with rights of |
property transfer. A federal proposal to build 2,200 social housing | property transfer. A federal proposal to build 2,200 social housing |
units in the new Porto Maravilha was challenged by Rio’s mayor, | units in the new Porto Maravilha was challenged by Rio’s mayor, |
Eduardo Paes, on the grounds that their residents would just sell | Eduardo Paes, on the grounds that their residents would just sell |
them. “Don’t come to me with laws telling them they cannot sell,” | them. “Don’t come to me with laws telling them they cannot sell,” |
he told a recent conference, “because they do it … everybody sells | he told a recent conference, “because they do it … everybody sells |
their house.” While state-run estates, condominiums and co-operatives can impede | their house.” While state-run estates, condominiums and co-operatives can impede |
this, the implied legal control is a far cry from a Rio favela. | this, the implied legal control is a far cry from a Rio favela. |
Besides, the essence of the favela sovereignty is local ownership. | Besides, the essence of the favela sovereignty is local ownership. |
Any | Any |
visitor to Rio’s poorer districts sees a glaring conflict between | visitor to Rio’s poorer districts sees a glaring conflict between |
the chronic need for investment and the frozen value of the land. | the chronic need for investment and the frozen value of the land. |
People want services “from the ground up”, yet are sceptical of | People want services “from the ground up”, yet are sceptical of |
the necessary resources being generated by their own rents and taxes – even if it were to mean new residents, investment in infrastructure, | the necessary resources being generated by their own rents and taxes – even if it were to mean new residents, investment in infrastructure, |
jobs and civic clout. They see gentrification leading to evictions, | jobs and civic clout. They see gentrification leading to evictions, |
even where the residents themselves would benefit from property | even where the residents themselves would benefit from property |
sales. Their default is to see the state as responsible for retrofitting | sales. Their default is to see the state as responsible for retrofitting |
their communities. | their communities. |
All | All |
urban renewal is a conflict between social geography and the market | urban renewal is a conflict between social geography and the market |
for land. Since the 1980s, Rio’s favelas have “traded” a degree | for land. Since the 1980s, Rio’s favelas have “traded” a degree |
of security of low-cost tenure for dreadful living conditions and | of security of low-cost tenure for dreadful living conditions and |
crime-ridden governance. The constitutional “right to occupy” a | crime-ridden governance. The constitutional “right to occupy” a |
particular plot of land has been at the price of zero investment, | particular plot of land has been at the price of zero investment, |
poverty and anarchy. The freedom to stay put implies bondage, if it | poverty and anarchy. The freedom to stay put implies bondage, if it |
means being unable to up sticks and move, taking the value of one’s | means being unable to up sticks and move, taking the value of one’s |
home with one. Paes himself recognises this, and is reluctant to control the | home with one. Paes himself recognises this, and is reluctant to control the |
housing market and become “the Fidel Castro of the favelas”. | housing market and become “the Fidel Castro of the favelas”. |
The | The |
favelas are thus a test bed of every tenet of modern urban renewal. | favelas are thus a test bed of every tenet of modern urban renewal. |
They are defended by new urbanists as the social housing stock of the | They are defended by new urbanists as the social housing stock of the |
future. But if they remain static communities, they will never see | future. But if they remain static communities, they will never see |
the investment they sorely need. Their aspiring and enterprising | the investment they sorely need. Their aspiring and enterprising |
young will leave in search of more salubrious living quarters, while | young will leave in search of more salubrious living quarters, while |
their parents stay, as in urban ghettos the world over, prisoners of | their parents stay, as in urban ghettos the world over, prisoners of |
an archaic poverty. | an archaic poverty. |
Rio’s | Rio’s |
favelas may entrance academics as sustainable informal housing, but | favelas may entrance academics as sustainable informal housing, but |
academic fashion builds no drains, pipes, schools or clinics. Letting | academic fashion builds no drains, pipes, schools or clinics. Letting |
the property market rip is clearly not acceptable, and can be as | the property market rip is clearly not acceptable, and can be as |
traumatic to a community as were the mass slum clearances of the 20th | traumatic to a community as were the mass slum clearances of the 20th |
century. But there has to be a compromise between gentrification and | century. But there has to be a compromise between gentrification and |
stasis. Somewhere in a freer residential property market lie the | stasis. Somewhere in a freer residential property market lie the |
resources to update these places. | resources to update these places. |
Favelas are exciting as a | Favelas are exciting as a |
remarkable surviving pattern of urban living. A vision, sensitive and | remarkable surviving pattern of urban living. A vision, sensitive and |
workable, is in place for their renewal. But Rio is still searching | workable, is in place for their renewal. But Rio is still searching |
for a way to implement it. | for a way to implement it. |
• Simon Jenkins: the World Cup and Olympics threaten to overwhelm Rio – yet there is time to create a sensation out of disaster | • Simon Jenkins: the World Cup and Olympics threaten to overwhelm Rio – yet there is time to create a sensation out of disaster |