The growth of Brazilian favelas: great intentions and failed policies
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Date
2016
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AESOP
Abstract
An integral part of the modern skyline of Brazilian cities is the background formed by the immense, dense and expanding favelas, the squatter neighborhoods that have over time emerged on marginal lands in the periphery of all its urban areas. Since the 1970s, Brazil experienced rapid urbanization that has resulted in more than 80% of its population living in urban areas at present (UN Habitat 2012, p20). Moreover, urbanization in Brazil has followed a decentralized pattern unlike other Latin American countries; at least seventeen of its cities boast populations of over one million people today (IBGE 2014). However, large percentages of these populations are squatters, living on marginal lands along water bodies and steep hills on the fringe of metropolitan regions.
The favelas have been an urban phenomenon in Brazil for almost a century, gaining momentum mostly during the massive urbanization movements after the Second World War. In the past fifty years, Brazil has addressed the presence and growth of favelas in its cities in a number of alternative ways and with varying degrees of success. Despite such policies, the growth of favelas did not cease; rather it has become part of the physical and cultural image for Brazilian cities, even attracting tourists and backpackers today. The transforming image of Brazilian favelas – from urban-blights in the 20th century to vibrant spaces of informal socio-economic integration in the 21st century – compels us to rethink about urban policies towards favelas.
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Proceedings of the IV World Planning Schools Congress, July 3-8th, 2016 : Global crisis, planning and challenges to spatial justice in the north and in the south
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