The city of Rio seems to be receiving substantial investment and planning, my shock was to visit the forgotten areas called favelas. Next to the richest area of Rio are located several overpopulated areas of cramped houses and reduced apartments usually 4 to 5 stories high. Houses made of cheap and thin brick next to very narrowed uneven alleys, and some covered completely with trash.
These areas are not under government assistance or city law. These areas are pretty much run by gangs of drug dealers who make up their own laws. People have improvised their sewage system, electricity, and water supply.
While exploring the favelas I was able to experience what living without permission like. If something got done it was because one person decided it. If someone wanted a roof to live under, he or she didn't ask permission. And when someone wants to help people living in favelas, they take matters into their own hands.
The sad part was looking at the contrasting area in the same city, the development focusing in only one area of Rio, the marginalization, the strong inequality. It can be seen that the government can do a lot, and has the means to have a great city, yet such power is not distributed. The only action they attempt to take is to take the people out to suburb areas, maybe so that it wont ruin the view, or as they say to help them somewhere else.
