Rio de Janeiro Urban Growth Case Study

Rio de Janeiro - Urban Growth Case Study

• Rio de Janeiro is a large city in Brazil, a newly emerging economy, with approximately 18 million people, encompassing surrounding areas.
• It was Brazil's capital until 1960, now Brasilia, but remains a significant financial and industrial hub.
• Attracts national and international migrants due to its appeal and high natural growth rate.

Social Opportunities

• Better access to services and resources than other Brazilian regions.
• More healthcare centers and hospitals than in rural areas (Amazonia).
• Higher proportion of students continuing education (50%) beyond compulsory schooling compared to rural areas.
• Improved energy supplies (enhanced for the Olympics).
• Access to clean water through improved treatment plants.

Economic Opportunities

• Rural Brazil (particularly Amazonia) has low economic opportunities, prompting population movement to Rio for better employment.
• Rapid growth for the Olympics resulted in many construction jobs.
• Rio is a major financial center, port, and industrial hub.
• Significant tourism industry.
• Large numbers of people employed across the city.

Social Challenges

• Lower proportion (55%) with regular healthcare.
• High dropout rates in education, partly linked to criminal activities (drug trafficking).
• 12% lack access to clean water.
• Illegal tapping of electricity is a frequent, problematic issue causing blackouts.

Economic Challenges

• Many jobs in Rio's informal economy (squatter settlements), leading to low tax payments and limited benefits.
• Low wages are common.
• Unemployment rates can be high (as high as 37%).
• Criminal activities impact businesses and profitability.

Environmental Challenges

• Severe traffic congestion leading to significant air pollution.
• Guanabara Bay is heavily polluted by industrial waste and other sources.
• Poor sanitation and irregular garbage collection in favelas and other settlements pollutes local water supplies and spreads diseases.