Ministry of cities RIP: the sad story of Brazil`s great urban experiment
(The Guardian Brazil)

How an urbanist dream of fixing Brazil´s chaotic metropolises became a nightmareInside Maria Cleudimar da Silva´s flat, gospel music plays softly on the stereo, family photos and religious posters decorate the walls, and a wicker rocking chair and computer furnish the living room. The only evidence of her past life is a faded photo of the home she lived in for 11 years, a shack she called Noah´s Ark for its frequent floods.She moved in in 1996, pursuing the promise of a better life from Brazil´s rural north-east to São Paulo, its largest city, where she settled in Paraisópolis, the city´s largest favela.We spent 400 years as a predominantly rural society. Rapid urbanisation was overwhelmingSometimes I don´t sleep at night thinking about how surreal it is to own a flat in the centre of São PauloThe ministry of cities shone a light on how to plan and confront problems on the peripheryThe ministry of cities shone a light for the country on how to plan and confront problems on the periphery Related: The story of cities #15: the rise and ruin of Rio de Janeiro`s first favela Continue reading...