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  • [ December 4, 2025 ] Portrait of a Centenary-Old Favela of Stilt Houses: Belém’s Vila da Barca Resists, Organizes and Fights for Sanitation and Adequate Housing #HousingWatch
  • [ November 30, 2025 ] The Story of Dona Pascoalina, Midwife and Healer of Morro do Borel by Community Contributors
  • [ November 15, 2025 ] ‘There’s No Such Thing as Normal After a Massacre’: One Week After Police Mega-Operation Kills 121 People, Residents From Complexos do Alemão and Penha Speak Out #UPPWatch
  • [ November 13, 2025 ] ‘Human Beings Forget That They Are Nature’: Favelas Teach the Path to the Future at the 2nd Favela Sustainability Festival Civil Society
  • [ November 12, 2025 ] Food Sovereignty and Culinary Heritage Connect with Fight for Climate Justice at the 2nd Sustainable Favela Festival Civil Society
HomeWritersNia McAllister

Writer: Nia McAllister

View from Dois Irmãos
#Rio2016

Increased Tourism to Dois Irmãos Trail Raises Concerns in Vidigal

By Nia McAllister, Sarah Cronin • August 13, 2016

Clique aqui para Português Dois Irmãos, the iconic “two brothers” mountains of Rio de Janeiro which can be viewed from Ipanema beach and upon which the Vidigal favela is built, are a popular tourist attraction. The […]

#UPPWatch

“Black July” Events Highlight Racial Injustice and Resilience of Black Communities in US and Brazil

By Mariah Barber, Nia McAllister, Sarah Cronin, Stephanie Reist • July 29, 2016

Clique aqui para Português Last week a delegation from the Black Lives Matter movement joined with activist groups based in Rio de Janeiro for a series of events under the name “Julho Negro” or “Black July.” […]

*Highlight

Vila Laboriaux Repurposes Space for a New Community Square [IMAGES]

By David Morsi, Nia McAllister • July 21, 2016

Clique aqui para Português On Saturday July 16, over 150 residents and volunteers gathered in Vila Laboriaux to celebrate the completion of the four week project to create a new public square in the community. Located at the […]

Adilson Almeida leads hike through Pedra Branca Forest
*Highlight

Ecotourism in Quilombo do Camorim Promotes Cultural and Environmental Conservation

By Nia McAllister • July 15, 2016

Clique aqui para Português Upon visiting the Quilombo do Camorim, it is evident that the community’s cultural history cannot be separated from the natural environment. Located in the neighborhood of Jacarepaguá in the West Zone of Rio […]

*Highlight

Caminhos do Lagarto Community Ecotourism Project Links Rocinha with the Tijuca Forest

By Nia McAllister • June 23, 2016

Clique aqui para Português Caminhos do Lagarto (The Lizard Path) is an ecotourism project developed by the Vila Laboriaux community that works to encourage environmental dialogues within the community while benefiting the local economy. Located at the top […]

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In May 2010, Catalytic Communities launched what was originally Rio Olympics Neighborhood Watch (hence RioOnWatch), a program to bring visibility to favela community voices in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. This news site, RioOnWatch.org, grew into a much-needed and unique reference featuring favela perspectives on the urban transformation of Rio. With diverse and deeply interlinked articles by a mix of community reporters, resident opinions, solidarity reporters, international observers, and academic researchers, we work to engender a more accurate picture of favelas, their contributions to the city, and the potential of favela-led community development in Rio and around the world.

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Fundação Heinrich Böll Brasil
World Habitat
Fideicomiso de la Tierra Caño Martín Peña
Pastoral de Favelas
Center for CLT Innovation
Global Land Alliance
Ecocity Builders
Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation
SDSU Behner Stiefel Center
The Rio Times
Forum Grita Baixada
Beto Paixão Graphic Design
Architecture Museum of Vienna
Yale School of Architecture

  • Home
    • Highlighted Stories
    • Understanding Rio
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  • Communities
    • Central
    • South Zone
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    • Greater Rio
  • Policies
    • Public Security
    • Housing
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Health
    • Sanitation
  • Violations
    • Human Rights
    • Housing Rights
    • Police Violence
    • Government Neglect
  • Organizing
    • Community Organizing
    • Community Solution
    • Resistance
    • Sustainability
    • Participation
    • Protest
    • Culture
    • Responsible Tourism
  • Content Map
    • by Community Contributors
    • by Int’l Observers
    • Series
      • Anti-Racist Series
      • Energy Justice Series
    • Event Reports
    • Video Stories
    • Photo-Essays
    • Interviews/Profiles
    • Research & Analysis
    • Reviews
    • Listicles
    • Opinion
    • Reference
    • Podcasts
    • Translated Articles
  • About
    • Timeline
    • Our Reporting Policy
    • License
    • Feedback
  • For Journos
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