Facing the Challenges of Informal Settlements in Urban Centers: The Re-urbanization of Manaus, Brazil
By Eduardo Rojas, Fernanda Magalhaes (06/07, SDS/SOC, En, Es) See also Social Development
The search for solutions to urban and social problems prompted by informal settlements is gaining importance in the development agenda of most large cities in Latin America. Nearly 60% of the population lives in informal, often centrally located settlements. The significance of the issue is emphasized by the inclusion of an objective in the Millennium Development Goals to reduce the number of people living in slums by 100 million by 2025 (UN, 2000). Within Latin America, municipalities are tackling the land tenure, sanitation, and urban services deficiencies of informal settlements either with their own resources or with transfers from other government tiers. A wide array of practical experience has come from the region, mainly from programs executed in the settlements located in the periphery of cities (Brakarz et. al. 2002). Notable exceptions include the well-known Favela Bairro Project of Rio de Janeiro, which is tackling the issues of informal settlements in the inner city.
Last updated: 06/27/07
