All Rights ReservedBroudehoux, Anne-Marie2025-02-122025-02-122016978-85-7785-551-1https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14235/2687Proceedings 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 southThis panel takes a critical look at Porto Maravilha, an emblematic yet highly controversial urban mega-project that seeks to revitalize Rio de Janeiro’s old port district. Launched in 2009 as part of Olympic-related urban transformations, this project represents the largest public-private-partnership in Brazilian history. It aims to turn five square kilometers of devalued housing and industrial buildings into a world-class, upscale mixed-use entertainment district, through the stimulation of real estate activity, the construction of cultural facilities and the development of tourist attractions. Meant to be the city’s new world class showcase, it wishes to attract upmarket businesses and residents, going as far as tripling its current population. Porto Maravilha encompasses five urban neighborhoods that have a rich yet fragile social, cultural and ethnic history. The area was long known as “Little Africa”, home of the world’s most important slave market, and birthplace of many Afro-Brazilian cultural traditions such as samba and capoeira, which are both recognized by UNESCO as part of Brazil’s immaterial heritage. Once a dynamic commercial and industrial neighborhood, the area experienced a decline in its traditional activities during the second half of 20th century.EnglishopenAccessconferenceObject93-95