Rio De Janeiro - Slums
Rio de Janeiro is infamous for their favelas, which are more commonly known as slums. The first favelas appeared in the late 19th century and were built by soldiers who had nowhere to live. Today, favelas are disorganised and illegally occupied self-constructed buildings, usually made of cardboards, pieces of tin, brick and mortar. They are often unfinished or sub-standard built on places that are not suitable for housing settlements, such as slopes and rivers banks, or on other people’s lands without permission. These slums lack proper sanitation and electricity; therefore, the life expectancy in favelas is only 48 years. Unfortunately, 20% of the 6 million people in the city region live in favelas.
There are about 1000 favelas in Rio de Janeiro, of which 18 have seen Police Pacification Units (UPP). The PPC was started 3 years ago to bring law and order to the favelas before the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. The police aim to establish 40 UPPs by 2014.
There are about 1000 favelas in Rio de Janeiro, of which 18 have seen Police Pacification Units (UPP). The PPC was started 3 years ago to bring law and order to the favelas before the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. The police aim to establish 40 UPPs by 2014.
Favelas have an image of lawlessness and a place with large difference in income between the rich and poor. There is also racial discrimination – almost 60% of favelas are made up of blacks, a stark contract with the blacks that make up only 7% in the richer parts of the city.
Drug trafficking gangs are common in favelas. Some infamous gangs are the Comando Vermelho and Amigos dos Amigos. To obtain favela’s residents’ loyalties, sponsored neighbourhood associations are held. Favela’s youths are also attracted by the funk parties held on Sunday afternoons. These events usually have underage prostitutes and funk carioca music, which celebrate drug-gang culture and gang members who died fighting the police.
Drug trafficking gangs are common in favelas. Some infamous gangs are the Comando Vermelho and Amigos dos Amigos. To obtain favela’s residents’ loyalties, sponsored neighbourhood associations are held. Favela’s youths are also attracted by the funk parties held on Sunday afternoons. These events usually have underage prostitutes and funk carioca music, which celebrate drug-gang culture and gang members who died fighting the police.
During these events, heavily armed security teams block off entrances and alleys, keeping police and other intruders away. One example of an intruder was Tim Lopes, a 51 year old Brazilian journalist. He tried to film a drug gang selling cocaine and displaying their weapons. However, he was discovered and got tied to a tree. Subsequently, his limbs were cut off with a Samurai sword and he was later burned alive. This shows the difficulty security forces face when trying to break in.
However, not all slums consist of only drug lords and gangs. There are still many hardworking and honest people living in Rio de Janeiro favelas who make a living and support their families by going to work. In fact, some people actually choose to stay in favelas because they have roots there and have bairrismo: pride in the backgrounds and culture.
The authorities have tried to think up of solutions to solve the problems relating to favelas. In the past, they provided residents with breeze blocks and cement to construct their own permanent accommodation. Since basic materials were provided, the residents could use their own money to pay for electricity and water bills.
Recently, the wealthy has been wanting to get rid of the favelas. Some favelas are located close to the edges of rich cities, and the given reason why the rich wanted the favelas to be gotten rid of was because of the environmental hazards, land ownership disputes and the safety of people living on the hilltop. All these were problems the favelas would bring. However, some people believe that these reasons are just excuses and the main reason was because the rich did not want the poor near them.
Surprisingly, towards the modern times, the slums in Rio De Janeiro has become a tourist attraction. Tourists want to get to know the real side of Brazil: the energy of the locals and the fascinating lives they lead.
The authorities have tried to think up of solutions to solve the problems relating to favelas. In the past, they provided residents with breeze blocks and cement to construct their own permanent accommodation. Since basic materials were provided, the residents could use their own money to pay for electricity and water bills.
Recently, the wealthy has been wanting to get rid of the favelas. Some favelas are located close to the edges of rich cities, and the given reason why the rich wanted the favelas to be gotten rid of was because of the environmental hazards, land ownership disputes and the safety of people living on the hilltop. All these were problems the favelas would bring. However, some people believe that these reasons are just excuses and the main reason was because the rich did not want the poor near them.
Surprisingly, towards the modern times, the slums in Rio De Janeiro has become a tourist attraction. Tourists want to get to know the real side of Brazil: the energy of the locals and the fascinating lives they lead.