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.

Why is Rio de Janeiro important?

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.
Why has Rio grown?

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.
Social opportunities from Rio's growth

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.
Economic opportunities from Rio's growth

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.

Social challenge - favelas

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.
Social challenge - water, sanitation & energy

Social challenge - water, sanitation & energy

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

Social challenge - access to services

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

Social challenge - unemployment and crime

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

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
1

The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1

Natural Hazards

1.2

Tectonic Hazards

1.3

Weather Hazards

1.4

Climate Change

2

The Living World

2.1

Ecosystems

2.2

Tropical Rainforests

2.3

Hot Deserts

2.4

Tundra & Polar Environments

3

Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1

The UK Physical Landscape

3.2

Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3

River Landscapes in the UK

3.4

Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4

Urban Issues & Challenges

5

The Changing Economic World

5.1

The Changing Economic World

5.2

Economic Development in the UK

6

The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1

Resource Management

6.2

Food

6.3

Water

6.4

Energy

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