The heavy rains that have hit Rio de Janeiro in recent weeks have revealed how much it can cost governments to omit the disordered land occupation. The problem is not exclusive to the state of Rio de Janeiro. Irregular constructions (both popular and upper-middle class houses), many located in areas of risk or environmental protection, are part of the urban landscape in all Brazilian regions.

São Paulo, the main metropolis of the country, has about 16% of its population residing in informal settlements, according to a 2008 Seade Foundation survey. There are more than 1.7 million people, almost the same as the capital population as Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Recife and Manaus, where the problem also exists and is serious.

As in similar episodes, Rio de Janeiro’s public authorities have announced ambitious plans to remove families living in the condemned areas. The task will not be easy, and the rulers are aware of it, so much so that they often avoid this action as unpopular.

Social tensions may indeed stem from the displacement of people, as well as the loss of established community bonds, employment and cultural goods. However, these negative impacts can be mitigated through effective social monitoring and processes that ensure effective community participation. It is the so-called social management, which seeks to ensure removal with dignity.

Experience confirms that the counterpart of resettlement on these bases offsets the possible costs, be they social or political. The first benefits are the improvement of the quality of life of the population from the point of view of the conditions of habitability; legal adjustment of the situation of families, allowing a broad social insertion, especially when the displacement is accompanied by integral urban planning of the new area, with guarantees of access to sanitation, transportation, health, etc. services.

Another positive point is the possible generation of work and income during the works, a benefit that can be extended to nearby communities. This whole process creates conditions to prevent new clandestine occupations from establishing themselves.

After the tragedy in Rio de Janeiro – and others that preceded it, such as that of the Morro do Baú in Santa Catarina and the Jardim Pantanal in São Paulo, just to mention some of the more recent ones – it is clear that the State cannot ignore the problem of irregular occupation. Resettlement is an immediate and viable solution to reduce the social and urban vulnerability of the victims, however, it must be remembered that the definitive and structural solution to the problem involves efficient land use management and more effective social policies.

*Liana Becocci is an engineer and director of Ieme Brazil, an advisory engineering company, with ISO 9001/2000 certification in Social Management and consolidated experience in numerous works carried out for the city halls of São Paulo and Suzano, Dersa (Road Development), CDHU Housing and Urban Development), among other clients.