Author(s)

V. A. Carneiro da Silva & G. Ribeiro

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of the Guanabara Bay Cleaning Programme (GBCP) on the urban development process of the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area. Based on the magnitude of the budget of the programme (US$ 860.5 million) and its relevance to the improvement of the life quality of urban dwellers, the main focus of this paper is on the role of GBCP in the context of the Rio de Janeiro urban trends and intra-metropolitan inequality dynamics. We present here an analysis of GBCP’s role in Rio de Janeiro’s current urban development process, identifying its influences on the dynamics of socio-environmental inequalities. It can be affirmed that the GBCP plays an important role in improving the existing infrastructure of low-income areas in the Rio de Janeiro, but on the other hand several management and implementation problems counteract its positive impact and contribute to reaffirm the current spatial segregated pattern. Keywords: Guanabara Bay Cleaning Programme, urban planning, environmental management, sustainability, Rio de Janeiro, urban development. 1 Introduction The socio-economical and environmental inequalities in Brazil are well publicized facts and one can state that spatial segregation has been a defining factor in its urbanization. Brazilian metropolitan areas, such as Rio de Janeiro, are increasingly characterized by the presence of wealthy neighbourhoods provided with top quality services next to poor communities with extremely limited infrastructure [4, 5, 9].

Keywords

Guanabara Bay Cleaning Programme, urban planning, environmental management, sustainability, Rio de Janeiro, urban development.