Watching the Marvelous City in Transition: Housing Policy Recommendations from the Voices of the Communities

For most of the past decade since Brazil was awarded the World Cup bid in 2007 and Rio won the Olympic bid in 2009, the Marvelous City has experienced a remarkable transformation. With the addition of the large scale favela-upgrading program Morar Carioca, the UPP security program, the influence of the federally run Minha Casa, Minha Vida program, and massive city works projects like the Porto Maravilha renovation and the BRT lines, Rio is at a critical turning point in its modern history.

Rio’s favelas, which house more than 20% of its residents, are being greatly affected by these transformations, particularly with the issue of housing. This report is the result of a study done with residents of these communities to learn how residents interact with and experience policies and how they would recommend to change them. Rio’s favelas are diverse in shape, size, history and culture, and policies made that influence them should take this into consideration. One-size fits all prescriptive policies have led to extensive problems with implementation within these communities. Further, rather than approaching favelas as problems to be fixed, policies should be created and implemented that identify and build upon the assets in these communities. By doing so, the policies will build upon the capabilities of the communities and better integrate them into Rio’s urban fabric.