A true urban and social transformation in the slums of Leme – ‘Chapéu Mangueira’ and ‘Babilônia’ – in Rio de Janeiro; this is the proposal made by Italy’s Environment Ministry and Rio de Janeiro’s City Hall, which will be presented next Wednesday, June 20, at 1 pm, at Rio+20 (Parque dos Atletas).

The ‘Program for the Restoration of Leme’s Slum’ (Programa de Restauração da Favela do Leme) proposes the use of recyclable material fit for construction. Walls, doors and windows have standardized measures that will be supplied in “ecological kits”. The objective is to reduce the environmental impact and avoid waste.

Developed by Italy’s Environment Ministry, the project was delivered to the Rio de Janeiro’s Secretary of Urbanism, Sérgio Mendes, in April this year. It is based in five principles: getting in, moving about, living, engaging with others and living in a healthy way. Among the improvements expected are Wi-Fi connection, escalators, squares, sports facilities and various social areas.

“It is an ambitious project, but feasible. It is not just the infrastructure of the communities that will change, it’s living, and it’s sharing it with others. Rio’s City Hall already showed interest in making the urbanization of Leme’s slums come true. The main point of the project is that residents participate in the construction and maintenance of these places. This way we will have a totally sustainable chain”, explained one of the chief architects of this project, Marco Casamonti.