Rio De Janeiro: Case Study

Rio de Janeiro

Background Information

Rio de Janeiro is an emerging city in Brazil, South America. It is the second most populated city in Brazil. Recently millions of people from rural areas have migrated to major cities such as Rio de Janeiro to seek better opportunities.

The city holds much regional and international significance. It is:

·       The cultural capital of Brazil

·       A UNESCO World Heritage Site

·       Host for 2016 Olympics and matches during the 2014 World Cup

·       The city is the second most important industrial centre in the country, manufacturing industries, eg chemicals and furniture + service industries (banking and finance)

·       A major port = important international transport hub

·       The Statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of the ‘New’ Seven Wonders of the World.

·       The city is one of the most visited places in the Southern Hemisphere.

City Challenges

Access to services & resources

·      55% of the population doesn’t have excess to a local health clinic.

·      Only half of children continue education beyond 14 due to a lack of schools.

·      Around 12 per cent of the population has no access to running water.

·      Blackouts occur due to frequent power cuts.

·      The city suffers from high crime rates.

·      There is a wide gap between the rich and poor in terms of wages.

·      Most people who work in favelas work in the informal sector.

·      There is high unemployment in the favelas.

·      Heavy pollution due to industrialization and poor sanitation.

·      Squatter settlements are built on unstable hilltops.

City Opportunities

·      Rio has one of the highest incomes per person in the country.

·      The city provides 6% of the country’s total employment.

·      Increasingly the city is improving people’s access to services such as education and healthcare.

·      The growth of urban industrial areas can increase economic development.

·      As the city becomes more industrialized, the city will become wealthier.

Challenges in more detail

Air Pollution

·      Is estimated to cause 5,000 deaths per year in Rio

·      This is because of heavy traffic and congestion (a build up of exhaust fumes) and mist from the Atlantic mixes with vehicle exhaust fumes and pollutants from factories

Traffic Congestion

·      Steep mountains – roads can only be built on…