Brazil Rio: Rare victory for residents in regeneration battle
“Like a sort of officially sanctioned graffiti, the initials of the housing department of Rio de Janeiro were sprayed on homes marked for demolition.
Almost 900 families, many of which lived on Rua da Esperanca (Hope Street), were facing eviction because their houses stood in the way of the planned route for the Transolimpica bus rapid transit system (BRT).
The extension of the BRT is part of the upgrades planned ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games, which the city is hosting.
he new 25km (15 mile) rapid bus route is expected to carry 70,000 passengers a day.
It will link Barra da Tijuca, which will host the athletes’ village, to Deodoro, the venue for several Olympic events.
Rio City Hall intended to relocate the families from Vila Uniao to small social housing apartments or offer compensation packages.
But many residents did not want to leave their 30-year-old community.
After two years of uncertainty and a small yet vocal campaign of resistance, they have managed to save it from demolition.”
Bowater, Donna. BBC News 3 February 2015.