Gentrifications in pre-Olympic Rio de Janeiro

Rapid gentrification is reshaping Rio de Janeiro's residential landscapes, driven by global mega-events, state-led urban development, and real estate speculation. Research highlights multiple forms of gentrification across four key areas: Flamengo (a central middle-class neighborhood), the Zona Portuaria (a port region undergoing state-financed revitalization), Vidigal favela in Rio's Zona Sul, and Barra da Tijuca (a suburban area with Olympic-led infrastructure investment). The study, based on data from Rio’s primary real estate search engine, newspaper reports, resident interviews, and personal observations, reveals that while rents have risen across the metropolitan region, gentrification processes vary significantly, reflecting the complex dynamics of urban transformation in a Global South megacity.

Gaffney, C. (2015). Gentrifications in pre-Olympic Rio de Janeiro. Urban Geography, 37(8), 1132–1153. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723638.2015.1096115