4.1.5

Urbanisation Case Study: Rio de Janeiro

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The Growth of Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a major city located in the south-east of Brazil.

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Why is Rio de Janeiro important?

  • Rio de Janeiro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Rio de Janeiro hosted the 2016 Olympics and was one of the host cities during the 2014 Football World Cup.
  • Rio de Janeiro is a port, industrial centre and centre for banking.
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Why has Rio grown?

  • Rio has grown due to natural increase and migration.
  • Migrants move to Rio from other places in Brazil, such as the Amazon Basin, as well as from other countries in South America, such as Argentina and Bolivia.
  • Portugal was the colonial power that historically controlled Brazil. Because the same language is spoken in both countries, some Portuguese citizens may move to Brazil.
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Social opportunities from Rio's growth

  • Young people have the chance to go to school and university and medical services can visit people at home to treat 20 different diseases.
  • 95% of the population have access to mains water.
  • Power supplies have been improved as the city has grown.
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Economic opportunities from Rio's growth

  • People can get jobs in Rio’s industries such as oil refining, building, shopping and tourism.
  • 6% of all employment in Brazil is in Rio.

Challenges of Rio's Growth

As with all urbanisation cases, the rapid growth of a city creates many opportunities, but there will also be growing pains.

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Social challenge - favelas

  • As people have moved to Rio, the slums have grown.
    • Slums in Rio are known as favelas. Rocinha is the largest favela in Rio.
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Social challenge - water, sanitation & energy

  • 50% of homes in Rio’s favelas have no sewerage.
  • 30% of homes in Rio’s favelas have no electricity.
  • 12% of homes in Rio’s favelas have no running water.
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Social challenge - access to services

  • Only 50% of children in Rio stay in school past 14.
  • Infant mortality in favelas can be as high as 50 per 1,000 children.
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Social challenge - unemployment and crime

  • Unemployment rates in favelas are over 20%
  • The murder rate can be up to 20 per 1,000 people.
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Environmental challenges from Rio's growth

  • There is no waste disposal service in the favelas, so rubbish piles up.
  • Air pollution caused by fumes from cars and factories causes around 5,000 deaths a year.
  • High numbers of cars on the roads leads to severe traffic congestion.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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