Favela evictions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: old problem, new justifications

Abstract

This article addresses the problem of the forced residential mobility of those living in the favelas of the metropolis of Rio de Janeiro as a reflection of the historical difficulties of the public authorities in recognising these popular spaces as an integral part of the city. From a sociological perspective, the article analyses how evictions, which reached a critical point during the civil-military dictatorship and were severely criticised during the democratisation process, have returned with force in the context of mega sporting events. Taking into account the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, we highlight, based on the cases of two localities, how this old problem acquired new justifications anchored in the discourse of legacy and provoked a "new forced urban diaspora", which strengthened the power of capital and the expulsion of the poorest from the most valued areas of the city.