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Vision of the future or criminal eyesore: what should Rio do with its favelas? Simon Jenkins Vision of the future or criminal eyesore: what should Rio do with its favelas?
(35 minutes later)
TheThe
granite hump of Providencia gazes down like a stern guardian on thegranite hump of Providencia gazes down like a stern guardian on the
old port of Rio de Janeiro. It offers probably the finest viewpointold port of Rio de Janeiro. It offers probably the finest viewpoint
over any city I know. Rio’s great bay stretches inland to distantover 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 tonow mostly silent. Along the coast a parade of beach resorts march to
the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain, with Copacabana and Ipamena hidingthe 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 iscrowned by the art deco beacon of Christ the Redeemer. The sight is
breath-taking.breath-taking.
II
was admiring this view from the top of the hill when I felt a handwas 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 atugging at my belt. In this city of muggers, and eager to avoid a
scene, I moved quickly along the handrail, only to be alarmed whenscene, I moved quickly along the handrail, only to be alarmed when
the hand came and resumed its grasp. I then noticed it belonged to athe hand came and resumed its grasp. I then noticed it belonged to a
blind boy with severe disabilities. I had been blocking his only routeblind 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.
InIn
most cities, Providencia would be a Montmartre or Nob Hill, a luxurymost 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 cheapsettled 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.
AtAt
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 withOver the past half century Rio’s centre of gravity has, as with
many cities, drifted west from its original home. It now sprawls formany cities, drifted west from its original home. It now sprawls for
over 20 miles of beaches and promontories, dramatically interspersedover 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.
AllAll
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 inBut 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, mostthe same locations. While those on the flat can be reached by road, most
are stacked on hillsides, hard to reach on wheels, flooded in stormsare stacked on hillsides, hard to reach on wheels, flooded in storms
and lacking sewerage and other public services. Until recently theand lacking sewerage and other public services. Until recently the
favelas – named after scrub plants that once occupied them – werefavelas – named after scrub plants that once occupied them – were
no-go areas for the police or government officials, and remained inno-go areas for the police or government officials, and remained in
thrall to feuding drugs gangs. They testify to the futility ofthrall to feuding drugs gangs. They testify to the futility of
criminalising the supply of what is a standard consumer product. Thecriminalising 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.
WithWith
the World Cup and Olympics looming, these places are testingthe World Cup and Olympics looming, these places are testing
Brazil’s civic conscience. Most cities would by now have contrivedBrazil’s civic conscience. Most cities would by now have contrived
to clear such settlements, rehousing their inhabitants with varyingto clear such settlements, rehousing their inhabitants with varying
degrees of compulsion elsewhere. The process can be seen from Mexicodegrees of compulsion elsewhere. The process can be seen from Mexico
City to Lagos, from Johannesburg to Bangalore, or in London or ParisCity to Lagos, from Johannesburg to Bangalore, or in London or Paris
a century ago. Older areas are gentrified and this in turn draws taxa century ago. Older areas are gentrified and this in turn draws tax
revenue, private investment and political clout to deliver new urbanrevenue, private investment and political clout to deliver new urban
infrastructure. Even in Rio this is happening to such historicinfrastructure. Even in Rio this is happening to such historic
central areas as Lapa and Santa Teresa, where old streets arecentral areas as Lapa and Santa Teresa, where old streets are
starting to draw restaurants, shops and entertainment back tostarting to draw restaurants, shops and entertainment back to
depressed quarters.depressed quarters.
InIn
Rio’s favelas, however, any such process has largely stalled. Their controlRio’s favelas, however, any such process has largely stalled. Their control
by the drug lords kept all forms of government, includingby the drug lords kept all forms of government, including
redevelopment, at bay, often at the point of a gun. A 1988redevelopment, 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 reckonedusually 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 theCompulsory eviction supposedly requires local consultation and the
availability of alternative housing near at hand.availability of alternative housing near at hand.
SuchSuch
security has not been totally effective, though. The Popular Committee forsecurity has not been totally effective, though. The Popular Committee for
the World Cup and the Olympics, which has been behind recent proteststhe World Cup and the Olympics, which has been behind recent protests
against the football tournament, claims no fewer than 170,000 people are beingagainst 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 experiencedremoved 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 itsby British cities in the 1960s and 1970s and by Beijing before its
Olympics. Rio has failed to remove the Vila Autódromo favela, whichOlympics. 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.
ForFor
followers of post-modernism’s “new urbanism”, Rio is anfollowers of post-modernism’s “new urbanism”, Rio is an
exciting, infuriating place. As an urban form the favela isexciting, infuriating place. As an urban form the favela is
inherently robust, green and “sustainable”. It can offerinherently robust, green and “sustainable”. It can offer
high-density, low-cost living on locations penetrating the city centrehigh-density, low-cost living on locations penetrating the city centre
and within reasonable reach of work. Its residents rely on walkingand 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 familyand 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 ofand neighbour are strong. They delineate their own boundaries of
loyalty and defensible space.loyalty and defensible space.
AsAs
a result the world flocks to study them. They have becomea 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-upColumbia and the LSE. Pennsylvania even built its own campus “pop-up
favela” for study purposes. A leading NGO champion, Theresafavela” for study purposes. A leading NGO champion, Theresa
Williamson of Catalytic Communities, sees the favelas as the “idealWilliamson of Catalytic Communities, sees the favelas as the “ideal
affordable housing stock”. Their buildings are mostly brick-builtaffordable 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.
TheThe
challenge is somehow to upgrade them to meet even the minimalchallenge 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 thestandards 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 authoritieschallenge of the “smart cities” movement. Rio’s authorities
have long acknowledged the policy: Favela Bairro in the 1990s sawhave long acknowledged the policy: Favela Bairro in the 1990s saw
them as “civic assets” rather than “aberrations”. At its mostthem as “civic assets” rather than “aberrations”. At its most
basic, it secured the widespread concreting of alleys and stairwaysbasic, 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.
FavelaFavela
Bairro was assessed by the RioOnWatch website as having upgradedBairro 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 flamboyantprogramme of Morar Carioca. Launched by the flamboyant
mayor, Eduardo Paes, this allotted $4.5bn (£2.7bn) to achieve the completemayor, 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 organisedfrom the ground up and through “the participation of organised
society … through assemblies and meetings in the communities”. Insociety … through assemblies and meetings in the communities”. In
future, the favela would be seen not as Rio’s problem but “thefuture, the favela would be seen not as Rio’s problem but “the
solution … the visionary answer to how the world is going to dealsolution … the visionary answer to how the world is going to deal
with the third of humanity who will live in informal settlements bywith the third of humanity who will live in informal settlements by
2050”.2050”.
MorarMorar
Carioca was undeniably an imaginative exercise in sensitive urbanCarioca was undeniably an imaginative exercise in sensitive urban
renewal. Prepared with the Institute of Brazilian Architects , itrenewal. Prepared with the Institute of Brazilian Architects , it
would retrofit the city’s entire stock of low-cost housing, and dowould retrofit the city’s entire stock of low-cost housing, and do
so free of the cost, misery and social disruption of traditionalso 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.
TheThe
spirit of Morar Carioca lives, but those involved in it have beenspirit of Morar Carioca lives, but those involved in it have been
disappointed. A visit to the architects’ institute is a gloomydisappointed. A visit to the architects’ institute is a gloomy
experience, as its president, Sergio Magalhaes, shuffles maps andexperience, as its president, Sergio Magalhaes, shuffles maps and
plans from which one project after another has been removed. What hadplans from which one project after another has been removed. What had
been “a special moment in mobilising the efforts, hopes andbeen “a special moment in mobilising the efforts, hopes and
expectations of the people”, he says, had become merely an exerciseexpectations of the people”, he says, had become merely an exercise
in using the Olympics to direct investment to rich and expandingin using the Olympics to direct investment to rich and expanding
areas.areas.
TheThe
promised investment has not been forthcoming, while government effortpromised 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 livinghas 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. Otherwiseconditions required government control of law and order. Otherwise
nothing would happen. This took the form of mass police incursionsnothing would happen. This took the form of mass police incursions
into one favela after another, driving the gang leaders out – even ifinto one favela after another, driving the gang leaders out – even if
they merely moved to others. The police then remained as a permanentthey merely moved to others. The police then remained as a permanent
presence. Favela police commanders would become, in effect, localpresence. Favela police commanders would become, in effect, local
mayors.mayors.
TheThe
programme has had its failures. Last week a police killing in the Pavão-Pavãozhino favela near Copacabana showed how easily the policeprogramme 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 Alemãocan 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 describeThey 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 systemit as having merely “replaced one arbitrary and militarised system
of justice with another”. Butof justice with another”. But
killings in pacified favelas, by both police and gangs, have halvedkillings in pacified favelas, by both police and gangs, have halved
over the past five years. If pacification is not an end in itself itover 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 lawis the essential beginning of a process, the rule of some sort of law
on which regeneration can proceed.on which regeneration can proceed.
TheThe
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 toBrazil, like most modern political economies, is in thrall to
mega-events. Glory lies in the grand gesture, the big scheme, themega-events. Glory lies in the grand gesture, the big scheme, the
glamour project. Rio’s current pride and joy is the redevelopmentglamour project. Rio’s current pride and joy is the redevelopment
of its disused port area, the Porto Maravilha project. An overheadof its disused port area, the Porto Maravilha project. An overhead
motorway is being buried underground and a promenade laid out betweenmotorway is being buried underground and a promenade laid out between
the downtown and the water. Trump towers and a luxury hotel are tothe downtown and the water. Trump towers and a luxury hotel are to
rise beside it. Historic 19th-centuryrise beside it. Historic 19th-century
streets are being restored and an old slave dock uncovered. Astreets are being restored and an old slave dock uncovered. A
curiously titled “museum of the future” designed by Santiagocuriously titled “museum of the future” designed by Santiago
Calatrava is emerging on an old quay.Calatrava is emerging on an old quay.
ThisThis
is easy renewal, of a virtually empty zone of the old city. Nor hasis 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 wasthere 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 andcampaigned against eviction by photographing threatened residents and
projecting their faces on to their outside walls.projecting their faces on to their outside walls.
ProvidenciaProvidencia
was eventually awarded not improved utilities but one of the morewas eventually awarded not improved utilities but one of the more
bizarre gestures of urban renewal I have seen. A heavilybizarre gestures of urban renewal I have seen. A heavily
over-engineered $35m cable car runs just half way up its slope andover-engineered $35m cable car runs just half way up its slope and
then appears to have been abandoned. A similar contraption inthen appears to have been abandoned. A similar contraption in
London’s Docklands runs at barely 10% of capacity. SuchLondon’s Docklands runs at barely 10% of capacity. Such
investments are beloved of mayors, sponsors and contractors, butinvestments are beloved of mayors, sponsors and contractors, but
seldom of residents.seldom of residents.
AA
longer cable car, meanwhile, carries a trickle of passengers over thelonger 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 stopsroofs 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-levelnear few houses and is unavailable for heavy goods. A ground-level
funicular would have made more sense.funicular would have made more sense.
AttemptsAttempts
to upgrade low-lying favelas are eerily reminiscent of similarto upgrade low-lying favelas are eerily reminiscent of similar
British projects of the 1960s and 70s. I walked through what is leftBritish projects of the 1960s and 70s. I walked through what is left
of Manguinhos with Leona Deckelbaum, a local housing official turnedof Manguinhos with Leona Deckelbaum, a local housing official turned
activist. It was old-fashioned federal slum redevelopment: regimentedactivist. It was old-fashioned federal slum redevelopment: regimented
tenements gave on to desolate open spaces, with allotments and kioskstenements gave on to desolate open spaces, with allotments and kiosks
in which local people were expected to find work. While a library hasin which local people were expected to find work. While a library has
been opened, most of the area was smashed and deserted, the kiosksbeen opened, most of the area was smashed and deserted, the kiosks
unused.unused.
NextNext
door, across a no man's land of rubble, lay the remains of the survivingdoor, across a no man's land of rubble, lay the remains of the surviving
favela: a warren of lanes, alleys, workshops, bars, undrained andfavela: a warren of lanes, alleys, workshops, bars, undrained and
filthy. The place was regularly flooded by a polluted canal, but itfilthy. The place was regularly flooded by a polluted canal, but it
was also a live community. “If only the moneywas also a live community. “If only the money
would have been spent just fitting drains and sewerage into the oldwould have been spent just fitting drains and sewerage into the old
favela,” Deckelbaum said. “But then, sewers do not look good at world urbanisationfavela,” Deckelbaum said. “But then, sewers do not look good at world urbanisation
conferences – not like cable cars.”conferences – not like cable cars.”
TheThe
same lesson is evident on the outskirts of the city at Cidade desame lesson is evident on the outskirts of the city at Cidade de
Deus. This was a state resettlement estate laid out in the 1960s andDeus. This was a state resettlement estate laid out in the 1960s and
notorious as setting for the movie, City of God. It was built withnotorious 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 nowhich soon brought it under the aegis of drug gangs. With no
government or planning and few public services, the area’sgovernment 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 aCidade de Deus has recently been “pacified”. It yet could offer a
better template of self-improved housing than a cluster of frigidbetter template of self-improved housing than a cluster of frigid
municipal towers.municipal towers.
YetYet
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 seenfavelas 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 viewsushi 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 onHip restaurants and alternative bed-and-breakfasts are appearing on
the back of discreet coach tours.the back of discreet coach tours.
ThisThis
presents Rio with the classic urban paradox. The superb location ofpresents Rio with the classic urban paradox. The superb location of
many favelas gives them immense imputed value from gentrification andmany favelas gives them immense imputed value from gentrification and
tourism, value that in most cities would have long drawn to them newtourism, value that in most cities would have long drawn to them new
residents, employers and investors. They in turn would have generatedresidents, employers and investors. They in turn would have generated
resources for better services.resources for better services.
YetYet
favelas are proud places whose residents enjoy a measure of securityfavelas are proud places whose residents enjoy a measure of security
of tenure and a growing civic confidence. “We want to be happy andof tenure and a growing civic confidence. “We want to be happy and
walk freely in the favela where we were born,” states a protestwalk freely in the favela where we were born,” states a protest
banner in Manguinhos. Another at Vila Autódromo boasts “a peacefulbanner in Manguinhos. Another at Vila Autódromo boasts “a peaceful
and orderly neighbourhood since 1967”. As these places are upgradedand orderly neighbourhood since 1967”. As these places are upgraded
and made secure, there is an inevitable impact on their desirabilityand made secure, there is an inevitable impact on their desirability
and price – and on the desire of some residents to realise suchand 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.
AllAll
forms of social housing sooner or later must grapple with rights offorms of social housing sooner or later must grapple with rights of
property transfer. A federal proposal to build 2,200 social housingproperty 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 sellEduardo 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 sellshe told a recent conference, “because they do it … everybody sells
their house.” While state-run estates, condominiums and co-operatives can impedetheir 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.
AnyAny
visitor to Rio’s poorer districts sees a glaring conflict betweenvisitor 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 ofPeople 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 propertyeven where the residents themselves would benefit from property
sales. Their default is to see the state as responsible for retrofittingsales. Their default is to see the state as responsible for retrofitting
their communities.their communities.
AllAll
urban renewal is a conflict between social geography and the marketurban renewal is a conflict between social geography and the market
for land. Since the 1980s, Rio’s favelas have “traded” a degreefor land. Since the 1980s, Rio’s favelas have “traded” a degree
of security of low-cost tenure for dreadful living conditions andof security of low-cost tenure for dreadful living conditions and
crime-ridden governance. The constitutional “right to occupy” acrime-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 itpoverty and anarchy. The freedom to stay put implies bondage, if it
means being unable to up sticks and move, taking the value of one’smeans 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 thehome 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”.
TheThe
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 theThey are defended by new urbanists as the social housing stock of the
future. But if they remain static communities, they will never seefuture. But if they remain static communities, they will never see
the investment they sorely need. Their aspiring and enterprisingthe investment they sorely need. Their aspiring and enterprising
young will leave in search of more salubrious living quarters, whileyoung will leave in search of more salubrious living quarters, while
their parents stay, as in urban ghettos the world over, prisoners oftheir parents stay, as in urban ghettos the world over, prisoners of
an archaic poverty.an archaic poverty.
Rio’sRio’s
favelas may entrance academics as sustainable informal housing, butfavelas may entrance academics as sustainable informal housing, but
academic fashion builds no drains, pipes, schools or clinics. Lettingacademic fashion builds no drains, pipes, schools or clinics. Letting
the property market rip is clearly not acceptable, and can be asthe property market rip is clearly not acceptable, and can be as
traumatic to a community as were the mass slum clearances of the 20thtraumatic to a community as were the mass slum clearances of the 20th
century. But there has to be a compromise between gentrification andcentury. But there has to be a compromise between gentrification and
stasis. Somewhere in a freer residential property market lie thestasis. Somewhere in a freer residential property market lie the
resources to update these places.resources to update these places.
Favelas are exciting as aFavelas are exciting as a
remarkable surviving pattern of urban living. A vision, sensitive andremarkable surviving pattern of urban living. A vision, sensitive and
workable, is in place for their renewal. But Rio is still searchingworkable, 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