Urbanisation Case Study: Rio de Janeiro
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 4.1.5
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?
- 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?
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Test yourself on Urbanisation Case Study: Rio de Janeiro
Why is Rio an important city?
Which of the following stats is true for Rio?
What % of children in Rio stay in school past 14?