Mobility and accessibility in urbanization programs for favelas: Analysis in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro from 1996 to 2012

Abstract

The study of Brazilian urban policies indicates that, from 1980 onwards, the cities sought other intervention solutions for informal settlements, different from those previously practiced, and that were implemented in the urbanization of some slums. The actions concerning physical mobility and accessibility are part of the infrastructure system to be approached for the promotion of the urban and land regularization of these places. In Brazil this period also marks the beginning of the movement of discussion and strengthening of measures for the benefit of people with disabilities and of regulatory instruments to guarantee their accessibility and autonomy. This paper aims to understand the treatment of accessibility issues in precarious settlements, especially in the slum urbanization programs in the metropolitan areas of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro from 1996 to 2012. A bibliographical review and analysis of the available official documents were undertaken. The programs were analysed comparatively, based on “intervention concepts” of the Morar Carioca Program. Some similarities are pointed out. The guidelines for interventions only refer to aspects of urban mobility, transport policy, etc. with impact on the surroundings. However, the allusions to accessibility are indirect, especially in the improvement of facilities for pedestrians, which is primordial in those settlements and justifies, therefore, the need for continuity in the study of this subject.

Keywords: mobility, accessibility, illegal settlements, slum upgrading, legislation.