Rio de Janeiro City Hall launches Morar Carioca (Live in Rio) project in communities of Praça Seca.

Urbanization of two areas in the Bateau Mouche and Chacrinha do Mato Alto favelas promotes dignity and quality of life for more than 15 residents of the region - Image: Press Release

Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere launched, this Sunday (May 24th), at the Professor Manoel José Gomes Tubino Olympic Village, in Praça Seca, the urbanization and infrastructure works of Bateau Mouche and Chacrinha do Mato Alto. The R$ 70,2 million investment by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall in the two communities represents dignity, security and access to basic rights for more than 15,000 people in 3.801 households. The works are part of the Morar Carioca program, executed by the Municipal Housing Secretariat (SMH).

— The Morar Carioca program is a structural investment. We are investing over R$ 70 million here in Bateau Mouche and Chacrinha, which will continue until 2028. That's two and a half years of construction ahead that will change the history of these two places. Unlike other types of investment, Morar Carioca is the most transformative project that the communities of our city dream of receiving — said Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere.

The works in Bateau Mouche will be divided into phases. The first phase will cover the areas of Fazenda do Mato Alto and Bela Vista do Mato Alto. The interventions will occupy a total area of ​​76.814 square meters, with a deadline of 24 months. The two favelas will receive a water supply network with household connections; sewage system; drainage network; lighting; paving; points for solid waste collection and litter bins, in addition to structural slope containment services. An important part of the work will be dedicated to the construction of leisure areas. Residents will enjoy communal areas, two playgrounds and a Senior Citizens' Fitness Center.

In the Chacrinha do Mato Alto community, the total area of ​​interventions will be 85.782,96 square meters, also with a projected completion time of 24 months. The works will include water supply, sewage and drainage networks; paving; installation of lighting and equipment for solid waste collection, such as containers and litter bins; containment works and landscaping. An important part of the project will be dedicated to the construction of leisure areas and the implementation of urban furniture, with a Senior Citizens' Fitness Area; 14 playgrounds; kiosks and community areas.

The city's housing policy understands housing as a basic right and focuses on urbanization as an instrument for social inclusion and dignity. With this initiative, the Rio de Janeiro City Hall reinforces its commitment to the urbanization of vulnerable areas and the promotion of equity in access to the city. The expectation is to transform the daily lives of residents, with adequate infrastructure, greater security, and increased property value.

"It's very gratifying to see how this project will transform these communities, bringing more dignity, infrastructure, and quality of life to families. The effort we are making is yielding results in improving the favelas of Rio de Janeiro," says the Municipal Secretary of Housing, Cláudio Dutra.

About Living in Rio

Morar Carioca is the largest favela urbanization program in the country. It promotes the urbanization of streets and leisure areas, adding a range of improvements in health, education and other basic public services, in addition to bringing citizenship and dignity to a portion of the population living in vulnerable areas.

The projects include water and sewage networks, drainage, public lighting, paving and slope containment, as well as landscaping, health facilities, education, culture and leisure.