The Resident's Association
Catalytic Communities is currently competing in the Ideablob contest. This contest allows anyone to submit and vote for their favorite innovative idea. The idea with the most online votes by October 31, 2009 will win $10,000. Our idea is called “Rio Olympics: Ensuring a Powerful Legacy for Rio’s Favelas.”
If we win, we will use the prize money to prepare communities across Rio for the Olympic Games. Although the Olympics are set to earn three times the amount of money it will spend in its preparation, certain citizens have concerns.
A Vila Autódromo resident of 19 years
With the creation of new infrastructure including sports facilities, the expansion of outdated transportation corridors, as well as the construction of hotels and restaurants, the landscape of Rio will inevitably and irreparably change. This transformation will undoubtedly displace, fracture, and gentrify many unsuspecting communities.
On one hand, it could be argued that the removal and relocation of certain communities is an ‘upgrading’ process. In certain instances, residents are eagerly awaiting compensation for their houses and/or the opportunity to be relocated nearby. For these individuals, relocation means a chance to start over.
On the other hand, many residents, especially those who have lived in their communities for a number of years, are not happy with the decision. Many people have invested and worked hard for the quality of life they have achieved, are clearly disheartened by the news.
A very rare street sign in Vila Autódromo
This is the case for many of the residents living in the fourty-year old community of Vila Autódromo, located less than a kilometer away from the future Olympics site. Vila Autódromo is an old fishing village community that functions peaceably without militias, without drug trafficking, and without crime. Many residents have moved here to avoid just that. Yet, this community, which is home to an estimated 1,200 families, is slated for removal to make way for Olympics facilities.
Catalytic Communities wants to give communities like this a voice. We want to train community residents and leaders in using social media in order to amplify their voices and guarantee their concerns are heard by local authorities, the media, and international community. There should be an open dialogue between residents and city officials. If the residents should have to leave, they need to tell the city exactly what they are losing so they can attempt to recapture these aspects of their lives in a different location.
We would like to use the prize money to help residents collaborate with the city powerfully, intelligently, and progressively. With your help we can ensure a powerful legacy of Rio’s favelas. Please join our cause and VOTE!
Latest posts by Acoirac
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- It All Started with Our Apple IIGS... - February 23rd, 2010
- Removal is a Social Crime! - February 18th, 2010
- Vacation, All I Ever Wanted - February 1st, 2010
- My City of Ruins - January 25th, 2010
- Community Theater: Nós do Morro - January 12th, 2010
- You Down with UPP (Yeah you know me) - January 8th, 2010
- Day in the Life: MENGO! MENGO! MENGO, PORRA! ! - December 29th, 2009
- Rio Secures Giuliani for Security - December 17th, 2009
