Latest From RioOnWatch:
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Transcarioca: Irregularities and Evictions in Olympic RoadworksOctober 31, 2012; Felicity Clarke | Connecting Barra da Tijuca and the Olympic Park with the International Airport, the Transcarioca highway and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route is the most visible transport infrastructure work the city of Rio is undertaking in preparation for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
Favelas and Speculation
October 23, 2012; Victor Domingues | According the estimates by São Paulo Civil Defense, one person died and 300 were left homeless in the fire that swept through the Moinho favela on Monday, September 17. It was the seventh favela fire in the city in the last 40 days and the 34th this year.
"We Know What's Best for You" City Officials Tell Resident During Eviction Proceeding
October 22, 2012; Felicity Clarke | A Babilônia couple that now owns two houses in the increasingly pricey Zona Sul favela may end up owning nothing, and all because they followed the city's ever-changing rules.
Community Perspectives on the Occupation of Jacarezinho and Manguinhos
October 15, 2012; Felicity Clarke | The police occupation should represent a turning point in the recent history of these communities, yet community voices are conspicuously absent from the media narration of this process. Here we republish two community journalists' accounts of the occupation process in Jacarezinho and Manguinhos.
Resettlement Cannot Represent a Step Backward in the Development of Communities
October 12, 2012; Theresa Williamson | The removal of favelas currently underway in Rio is characterized by the demolition of homes of residents who have been evicted while those who resist are forced to live amidst the rubble. Ultimately they are being punished, living in unhealthy and insecure conditions.
Curicica Weighs in on Morar Carioca Roles and Obligations
October 10, 2012; Catherine Osborn | Since its launch in 2010, Morar Carioca has pledged to introduce a more participatory element to construction projects that have been arriving in Rio's favelas for the past sixty years. It's still the beginning of the process in Curicica. Construction is not scheduled to start for a few months; this is the third public meeting so far.
Composition of Rio's City Council 2013-2016
October 8, 2012; Bernardo Castro | Despite some new names elected, there were few major changes. The base of pro-government supporters remained in the majority with 39 councilors affiliated to parties supporting the re-elected Mayor Eduardo Paes (PMDB), while there are 11 councilors from opposition parties and one independent councilor.
The Price of Politics: Is a New Type of Campaign Possible in Rio de Janeiro?October 5, 2012; Anna Kaiser | Democracy has strayed far from its origin as a system of governance giving all citizens equal access to decision-making authority and the opportunity to serve in office. Modern day political campaigns not only entail huge budgets, but also require extensive networks of coalitions and connections, all of which completely soils the ideals of democracy.
Deciphering Rio's City Council SystemOctober 4, 2012; Anna Kaiser | There are 51 seats on City Council simultaneously up for election every four years. There are no term limits so conceivably 'councilor' could constitute a life-long occupation. Common across Brazilian politics, a diverse range of parties are present in the City Council.
The Story of Dona MariaOctober 3, 2012; Felicity Clarke | Marcia Garcez, 65, looked on devastated as City workers demolished her home on November 4, 2010. Two years later we met up with her at the apartment she shares with her granddaughter in Minha Casa Minha Vida replacement housing in the distant West Zone neighborhood Cosmos.
The ABCs of Rio's Municipal Elections
October 1, 2012; Anna Kaiser | Rio de Janeiro - and all of Brazil - boasts an impressive voting system. Voting is not just a right, it is a duty. At the age of 16 one gains the right to vote and after 18 it is mandatory. The Regional Electoral Court (Tribunal Regional Eleitoral) is the governmental organization in charge of running the system. Failing to vote multiple times without submitting a registered document explaining why, one risks having their voting card cancelled, without which you can't get a passport, ID card, work in the public sector or even get a loan.
