Urban Design and Criminality in Rio: Historical Aspects of Rio de Janeiro Slums

Abstract

Since its foundation the city of Rio de Janeiro has gone through innumerous
changes in which there is a direct connection between urban development and social
context, either as a result of differing spatial appropriations of specific classes or due to public policies that attempted to manage population growth. Even after 300 years Rio de Janeiro still remains an urban nucleus devoid of the sanitary conditions necessary for the needs of its population. As a result of these problems, historically public policy makers sought to give the city a more respectable appearance according to international standards. To achieve this, large areas of low-income housing, which some characterize as slum tenements, were removed in the name of urban remodeling and their dwellers ended up living on the hillsides of central areas of the city. Over the years, this practice was repeated throughout the city, with low-income individuals being marginalized and segregated and receiving little public investment. The lack of investment and the absence of government in these areas, indirectly contributed to the growth of organized crime, involving arms and drug trafficking. In the absence of job opportunity this line of work became quite attractive for young people. This context has changed in recent years and the role of the police has gone beyond being merely a repressive institution which enforces the law to taking on new roles such as collaborating with innovative public policies meant to bring government to the slums. Everyone has gained with these policies: the population, the image of the police and even the social evolution of Brazil.