Brazilians Live In Fear And Squalor

Brazilians live in fear and squalor while politicans debate what to do about the thousands living in squatter settlements.

1 minute read

January 22, 2004, 12:00 PM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


Estrutural,Brazil, home to over 20,000 persons, is a large slum on public land,that lacks a sewer system, where residents live in shanties made out of scrap metal and are afraid to leave their homes for fear of thieves. Estrutural is typical of squatter settlements throughout Asia and South America that have developed as millions of residents move to the city from the countryside. Some view these slums as an inevitable part of the "urbanization process" while others suggest that it shows how the government and market have failed to provide or develop affordable housing. Opposing political leaders have each championed the opposing sides to this issue, without any resolution or progress.

Thanks to Irene Sherr

Monday, October 24, 2005 in The New York Times

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