rio de janeiro

Brazil Olympics

Abandoned Olympic Venues Cast Doubt on the Value of Hosting

Though cities hope for an economic boost, these photos show it's far from guaranteed.

February 17, 2018 - Business Insider

Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio's Pricey Sky Gondola Goes Full Stop

The sky gondola system built prior to the Rio Olympics has ground to a halt, leaving residents of the city's favelas with little to show for such a grand investment in infrastructure.

March 1, 2017 - DW.com

Teotihuacán

Friday Eye Candy: Images of the World's Cities Through History

Tour the history of the world's most famous cities.

September 23, 2016 - Business Insider

Rio Subway

Rio's New Metro Crosses the Finishing Line Just in Time

It was a photo finish for Line 4—one of the signature infrastructure projects of the 2016 Summer Olympics—designed to transport passengers between Ipanema beach and the Olympic Park and Village.

August 2, 2016 - The Washington Post

Brazil Olympics

Less Than the Olympic Ideal

A long-read in The Nation pokes large holes in the narrative of the Olympics as a beacon of equality and unity. The effect in Brazil, according to the article, has been quite the opposite.

July 27, 2016 - The Nation

Rio Subway

Rio Scrambles to Ready Subway Before Olympics

Beset by delays and financial problems, the state of Rio is having trouble completing a new subway line before the Olympics start a month from now. The time crunch may cut into time for testing, presaging problems in August.

July 6, 2016 - Associated Press via Chicago Tribune

View of Portland, Oregon from Pittock Mansion

Land Sparing Protects Urban Ecosystems Better Than Land Sharing

A study of two cities at opposite ends of the urban spectrum demonstrate how density matters for a number of ecological services.

September 4, 2015 - Pacific Standard

Brazil's Insight on Climate Change Adaption

A new report from the World Resources Institute illustrates how Brazil is preparing its cities to deal with climate change.

December 4, 2014 - The City Fix

The Race to Map Brazil's Favelas

In an effort to tap into new users, companies like Google and Microsoft are racing to map the winding, informal streets of Brazil's slums in Rio de Janeiro.

September 25, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

Street Art Tells the Other Side of the World Cup Story

In the many cities hosting the month-long FIFA World Cup tournament, street artists share their criticisms in vibrant, powerful murals located in public spaces.

June 16, 2014 - The Guardian

Brazil Bus Fare Increases Rescinded; Will Mass Protests End?

The mass protests that have swept through Brazilian cities over the past week where sparked by planned bus fare increases, but quickly expanded to encompass a variety of complaints. Will the protests end now that fares have been lowered?

June 20, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Olympics Earn a Gold Medal in Displacement

Lawrence Vale and Annemarie Gray compare the cases of communities displaced by the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where redevelopment for the 2016 Games is underway, and Atlanta, 20 years ago.

April 16, 2013 - Places Journal

U.S. Developers Dive Into South America's Thriving Real Estate Markets

With growth rates expected to continue to surpass the United States and Europe over the next decade, U.S.-based developers are making big bets on the demand for residential, office, and retail properties in Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia.

March 25, 2013 - The New York Times

To Reduce Urban Poverty, Empower

Offering a list of policy innovations in several emerging mega-cities, URB.im managing editor Josephine d’Allant argues for empowerment over charity in the battle to improve conditions for the urban poor.

February 11, 2013 - Huffington Post

Businesses Seek a Slice of the Pacified Pie in Brazil’s Favelas

Following the surge of “pacifying” missions in many of Rio de Janeiro’s famed favelas, Forbes’ Ricardo Geromel discusses the arrival of private sector investments and how they may evolve in the future.

February 5, 2013 - Forbes

Real Estate, not Gun, Battles Define Tranformed Rio Favela

Jonathan Watts reports on the transformation of the Vidigal favela in Rio de Janeiro. With drug gangs kicked out, wealthy buyers have moved in, and rental prices have surged. But has the neighborhood changed for the better?

January 25, 2013 - The Guardian

What Will be Rio's Olympic Legacy?

Flavie Halais cautions that urban development projects boosted by the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games could threaten Rio de Janeiro's historic port.

December 23, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

Airbnb Draws Tourists Off the Beaten Path

Airbnb connects travelers from around the world to unique rentable spaces. With the recent launch of a "Neighborhoods" feature, Airbnb has the potential to redirect tourist spending to often overlooked areas.

November 15, 2012 - Fast Co.Exist

Planning for the 2016 Olympics in Rio

The City of Rio de Janeiro announced the winner of its design contest for the 2016 Olympic Park. Contestants also designed a master-planned, mixed-use neighborhood to take over the space post-Olympics.

October 27, 2011 - 2016 Olympic Park Competition

An Olympic Ghost Town in Rio de Janeiro

Preparations for the World Cup and Olympics are displacing hundreds of families in Rio de Janeiro. One neighborhood next to a major stadium has been turned into a ghost town.

May 21, 2011 - Guardian

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.