Geography Discussion: Squatter Settlements & Development in Africa

This discussion post delves into the issues of squatter settlements, particularly the Mare Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, examining the factors contributing to their formation, such as rural-urban migration and lack of affordable housing. It highlights the efforts of residents and local associations in improving living conditions and pushing back against violence within the favela. The post also addresses the development landscape in Africa, acknowledging the continent's economic growth, technological advancements, and the rise of mobile banking, while also pointing out challenges like corruption, debt, and infrastructure deficits. The discussion references the video and articles, providing insights into the ongoing struggles and potential for progress in both Brazil and Africa. The conclusion emphasizes the potential for further development with better leadership and strategic adjustments.

DISCUSSION IN GEOGRAPHY 0
DISCUSSION IN GEOGRAPHY
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DISCUSSION IN GEOGRAPHY 1
Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS - THE MARE FAVELA OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL.........2
DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA.......................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

DISCUSSION IN GEOGRAPHY 2
INTRODUCTION
Slum settlements and underdevelopment affect every country in the world. The favelas in Brazil
and the countries in sub African Africa have been faced with these problems and are trying to
cope with them. Rural-urban migration is seen as the main factor leading to spring of slums.
SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS - THE MARE FAVELA OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
One of the most interesting things in the video is the environment surrounding the favelas is the
unique scenery of the Corcovado Mountains.
In the video (Wachowsky.Larry, 2013) people living within the favelas are conducting social
research into their community and research census. This helps determine the total number of
people living within the favela and in turn informs decision-making at all levels both in
government and the private sector.
The local people and the resident association are creating street names that reflect the history and
culture of the neighborhood
The resident association is putting efforts of pushing back against violence without the massive
presence of armed police. They have also cleaned the stretch of ground under the highway which
used to be a rubbish dump. The ground under the highway also used to be a battle arena for drug
gangs but the efforts of the resident association has made the place clean.
The improvements that should be put in place include giving out of title deeds to the slum
dwellers (UN HABITAT, 2018). This makes the dwellers secure and motivates them to improve
their housing conditions.

DISCUSSION IN GEOGRAPHY 3
Reducing the housing cost enables rural to urban migrators to easily afford shelter instead of
finding makeshift shelters in abandoned land which leads to slums. The current housing facilities
in the slums should also be improved. It required the involvement of the locals, government and
even donors and well-wishers.
DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
The most interesting thing in the text section and the Atlantic article is that despite the much
struggle and hardships the African economy is still on a steady rise.
In the video you realize that there is raw talent and most startups from outside Africa are trying
to partner up with local companies to help them. Several African cities are architecturally
developed and have nice infrastructure facilities. We learn from the video that the perception
about a continent with little to almost nothing relying on but donation isn’t true.
The sub Saharan African countries will become as developed as other areas of the world.
According to Giovanni Carbone there is faster than expected technological progress and
connectivity in Africa. Since the first launch of mobile networks in the sub Saharan Africa in
1989 they have grown rapidly leading to the drop of the gap between Africa and the rest of the
world has dropped from 99% in 1989 to 23% by 2015. (Carbone, 2016) Kenya is an example of
leading an economy of sub Saharan that is leading in the use of mobile banking.
Majority of the sub Saharan countries are lagging behind in infrastructure development. There is
much corruption and excessive borrowing by the countries which is caused by poor leadership
and resource management causing huge debts. The borrowed money is mostly embezzled and
ends up in offshore personal accounts (UNCTAD, 2016).

DISCUSSION IN GEOGRAPHY 4
With the African debt crisis looming in the continent, it is hard. The continent has come a long
way and is still heading to a better placing (Trevor W.Parfitt, 2012).
CONCLUSION
Already it is evident that the sub-African economy is on a steady rise and with minor
adjustments and better leadership truly the sub-Saharan countries will eventually become as
developed as other areas of the world.
REFERENCES
Carbone, G. (2016). A Vision of Africa's Future: Mapping Change, Transformations and
Trajectories towards 2030. Ledizioni.
Trevor W.Parfitt, S. P. (2012). The African Debt Crisis. Nottingham: Routledge.
UN HABITAT. (2018, September 4). https://unhabitat.org. Retrieved April 12, 2019, from UN
HABITAT FOR A BETTER FUTURE: https://unhabitat.org/urban-themes/housing-
slum-upgrading/
UNCTAD. (2016). Economic Development in Africa Report 2016: Debt Dynamics and
Development Finance in Africa. UNCTAD: United Nations.