{"id":15688,"date":"2014-06-03T11:49:12","date_gmt":"2014-06-03T14:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rioonwatch.org\/?p=15688"},"modified":"2018-01-15T13:08:40","modified_gmt":"2018-01-15T16:08:40","slug":"vidigal-debates-gentrification-with-new-entrepreneurs-in-third-fala-vidigal-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=15688","title":{"rendered":"Vidigal Debates Gentrification with New Entrepreneurs in Third \u201cFala Vidigal\u201d Event"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas\"\"<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Attending<\/a>On Tuesday May 6, the Vila Vidigal Neighborhood Association,\u00a0Catalytic Communities<\/a>, the\u00a0Intersectoral Forum of Vidigal<\/a>,\u00a0Albergue da Comunidade<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Vidblog Vidigal<\/a>\u00a0hosted the\u00a0third of four debates in the \u201cFala Vidigal<\/a>\u201d series looking at the process of gentrification in the community, this time discussing the impact of new entrepreneurs in Vidigal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While the\u00a0first debate<\/a>\u00a0examined the process of gentrification and the\u00a0second debate<\/a>\u00a0opened up discussion for residents to express their hopes and fears for the future, the third debate of the series gave residents the opportunity to ask new entrepreneurs about the costs and benefits of their projects to the community.<\/p>\n

A crowd just shy of\u00a0150 people attended the event, mixing lifelong\u00a0and recent foreign residents, students and journalists. The event opened with a twenty\u00a0minute video of interviews with leaders of a range of existing community\u00a0organizations within the community. About ten\u00a0different community groups, including\u00a0A.M.A.R<\/a>\u00a0(Vidigal Women\u2019s Association)\u00a0and the NGO Horizonte<\/a>, discussed the development of their organizations and the work they are doing to benefit the community.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0panel discussion was then launched. Eight\u00a0establishments notable in the wave of new and gentrifying development in the community were invited, including: Alto Vidigal, Bar do Laje, Winfinet, Bela Vista Im\u00f3veis, Move ID and Las Empanadas. Only two attended, however, with F\u00e1bio Ghivelder representing the new art school<\/a> being set up in the community by famous Brazilian artist\u00a0Vik Muniz<\/a>, and Conrado Denton representing the upscale\u00a0Mirante do Arvr\u00e3o hotel<\/a>. The rest of the panel was comprised of two members of Vidigal\u2019s Neighborhood Association, President Marcelo da Silva and Diretor Andr\u00e9 Gosi, as well as Theresa Williamson, Executive Director\u00a0of the NGO Catalytic Communities, as mediator of the debate.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Fabio Ghivelder first shared the ambition of the Vidigal Arts School,\u00a0owned by the internationally famous Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. The project aims to be an arts and technology school for children from 4 to 8 years old. Free of charge for the community, it would be self-funded, without exterior sponsors, and offer a unique visual education syllabus to youth. He shared\u00a0his concern the establishment was not being fully welcomed in the community, both citing a moratorium on their building just announced the previous day, and a robbery:\u00a0“I’d like to put in brackets that last week we were robbed at the construction site and they took the builders’ money. We’re trying to do something positive and get given a cold shower like this.\u201d He then finished his presentation announcing that prestigious\u00a0American institutions such as the MIT<\/a> or Blue School<\/a> in New York supported this visual education school, and that they could potentially create exchange programs with these establishments.<\/p>\n

Conrado Denton then explained the project of Mirante do Arvr\u00e3o, an upscale\u00a0hotel and a bar situated at the very top of the community. Having opened in November 2013, the sustainable building<\/a>, offering an impressive view on Rio\u2019s coastline, is using solar panels and was partly built using ecological materials. He also stated that the twenty employees\u00a0hired at the hotel were residents of Vidigal.<\/p>\n

The debate was then opened up to resident comments and questions.\u00a0Claudio, resident of Vidigal, asked Fabio Ghivelder, \u201cWill the project (Vidigal arts school) potentially include areas of sports and leisure?\u201d referring the shortage of space for kids to play in the community, to which the new entrepreneur replied that the focus of the school was on arts and unfortunately did not include any sport program. \u201cWe\u2019re focusing on what we do best to give these kids more tools in life; I agree with you that leisure spaces are lacking, but I am unfortunately the one capable\u00a0to\u00a0provide\u00a0that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neighborhood Association President Marcelo da Silva then asked, as a complementary question, if\u00a0in future there could be\u00a0infrastructure linked to arts implanted in Catorze, an area in the lower part of Vidigal. Fabio affirmed the ambition of the project, replying that people were already thinking of replicating the school in other places, if it proves successful. \u201cThere is an\u00a0interest\u00a0to replicate the project in public schools; but it is still only an ambition. So once again: think small, and\u00a0do it well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conrado Denton completed Fabio\u2019s response: \u201cWhen we finished our hotel, we helped to reform the sport area behind\u00a0the neighborhood\u00a0association. The place was bad and we helped, for example to install mats. We also tried to implement a hydroponic project on some roofs of the community [allowing residents to cultivate vegetables via an irrigation system] but unfortunately we didn\u2019t get enough support from the residents to realize the project, which would be very, very good for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Different<\/a>Half an hour through the event, William de Paula, known as \u201cNinho\u201d and responsible for mediating the questions, reached the heart of the subject when he asked both entrepreneurs: \u201cAre you aware that you have an influence, in a certain way, in this process of gentrification<\/a>, real estate speculation<\/a>, by creating your projects in a part of the morro [hill], which, until three or five years ago, was one of the most dangerous parts; [\u2026] Are you aware of this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Conrado Denton assumed having a role in a way in this process, as he explained: \u201cI think so. This process of gentrification, which is a word I don\u2019t like, is similar in other communities: when the UPP<\/a> is installed, some feel comfortable investing in a community, so it is normal that the prices go up, for the new services installed or the ones that will happen. In our case, when we began the hotel in Arvr\u00e3o, the area was already hosting Andreas of Alto Vidigal<\/a>, and when we arrived we also saw, apart from foreign businesses, that some residents from the community were comfortable investing there, which is the case of Casa da Tapioca, which saw an opportunity of creating a business where they live, and took advantage of the new customers, the new residents and the tourists who came up there; this process of gentrification should be taken advantage of by the residents of Vidigal.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Fabio Ghivelder took more distance in his answer: \u201cI feel a bit less concerned. I think we have much less impact on the increase\u00a0of prices and rents here, as schools and gentrification have very narrow links. Maybe I am wrong, maybe you can show me that our presence up there contributes to gentrification, but I will confess to you that I am not seeing it that way.\u201c<\/p>\n

As a reminder, Theresa Williamson added: \u201cThere is a difference between a neighborhood receiving investments and developing with the present residents who take advantage of this development, and gentrification, which by definition is when the development occurs\u00a0in a way that the ones that live there can no longer afford to stay\u2013meaning a development of the territory but not the people. Improvements are made, but not for the people who live there.\u201d She then summarized observations made\u00a0during the previous debates: \u201cI think we have seen in the previous debates in Vidigal that the people living here wants upgrading, they want to see the problems of the community solved, while its qualities are kept. And one of these qualities is accessibility [in prices]. The others are culture, conviviality, friends, neighbors, network, exchange, the many community NGOs\u2026 Things that people don\u2019t want to lose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Conrado<\/a>Miguel Plaza, a Spanish architect and resident, contributed to the debate focusing on public space. He first asked about the inaccessible hotel deck, to which Conrado justified: \u201cThe deck is part of our site. We gave it as a gift to the community, for the residents. Why is the deck not ready yet? Because of money shortage. We didn\u2019t had enough [funds] to finish the direct access to the deck. [\u2026] Why are we leaving it closed? Because as we didn\u2019t finish the construction of the access, we thought it would be dangerous for people to climb up there.\u201d However he affirmed their plans to finish its construction.<\/p>\n

When asked by Miguel about the height of the Vik Muniz\u00a0arts school–which has caused enough concern among residents to result in a moratorium on building, because its height is seen as\u00a0threatening the stunning panorama from Vidigal’s #1 lookout public space,\u00a0Arvr\u00e3o–Fabio Ghevilder explained that modifications have been made to the initial project to stay as respectful as possible. The security of the construction for a high building was also taken in consideration, as Fabio explains: \u201cThe structural walls are four times larger than they normally would be. The foundations are buried twelve meters below the surface, to avoid landslides. The best way to construct these days depends not on a matter of budget but on a matter of security. We considered making a 200% safe project, which was also lowered in height to respect the view.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex Gillott, an English community resident heavily engaged in cultural preservation work there, took the mic to express vividly her opinion on Mirante do Arvr\u00e3o\u2019s sudden appearance in the community. It was \u201cdropped like a bomb\u201d, contributing to a considerable rise of price: \u201cHow many residents cannot pay their rent anymore in Arvr\u00e3o, and had to move? I know that the project you wanted was not supported by the residents, it was not a project that residents wanted in a favela. [\u2026] You came here aiming profit: you bought, you bought more houses, but what about the rest? The family owning Casa da Tapioca already left, many people are moving out [\u2026] The profit-making potential that came with the hotel is very strong, and the change is very quick. You built a project that most people here don\u2019t like, what else could you do to contribute to gentrification here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Conrado defended himself: \u201cI see Vidigal as a neighborhood like any other. A free neighborhood, where people sell their properties the way they want. The economy is free; it is the way it is. We arrived in Vidigal and were very well supported.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex continued her critique of the hotel\u2019s attitude with regards to\u00a0the community: \u201cYou came to make a profit. It has become natural, with pacification, to come to profit. But it [Vidigal] is not a simple neighbourhood, it is a favela […] A lot of families already moved out, sold their house, because they could not pay the rent. [\u2026] You are responsible for these changes. For the people who grew up here, it is very difficult. You have to respect it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hotel\u2019s representative reacted: \u201cI respect this very much but I disagree with your opinion. I believe that we arrived here, offered jobs, we make our events mainly with our neighbors, they work directly with us, in many events.\u201d<\/p>\n

The animated discussion ended with a suggestion from Alex: \u201cI think you don\u2019t see the impact you have on Vidigal\u2019s residents. There is a balance. I think that you have to give back [to the community] part of what you earn, a percentage of your profit. It has to become a project that they [the residents of the neighborhood] want more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rosa,<\/a>Rosa Batista, a resident of Vidigal for 8 years and member of the network of Vidigal community organizations, the Vidigal Intersectoral Forum, also expressed her feeling that the new entrepreneurs were not sufficiently taking into consideration the history and\u00a0culture<\/a>\u00a0of the community, or the\u00a0existing elements of the favela: \u201cI think that Vik Muniz\u2019s NGO could also support the other NGOs that already exist in Vidigal. We want progress, yes we do, but we want to continue here, because we love this place, we lived here for a long time, we suffered from a lot of things together, which the people who are arriving now have no idea of, and we still suffer here from difficulties of accessibility\u2013this road [Avenida Niemeyer] being closed during mornings is a problem to get to Barra da Tijuca [the lane opens one way only every working day until 10:30 am], lack of water, electricity breakdowns, and now, difficulties to live [\u2026] You have to understand that in a favela, there is a history.\u201d She then asked the audience to show the community spirit shared among the crowd: \u201c Do you see this place as a \u201cbairro\u201d [district] or a favela?\u201d Most of the people answered: \u201cFavela!\u201d<\/p>\n

Fabio replied: \u201cWe have a great respect for this community… We chose this place to develop\u00a0our project because we like it here. Personally, I am here for the community. When you ask the community if this is what they want, it is great for me to hear; because if the people do not want a school, free of charge, owned by someone who could bring a lot of visibility here, we should know. I do not know anybody in the world who would say that a school is not good. I am confident in\u00a0telling you that the project is 100% respectful and 100% integrated to what is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

A relative of the owner of the\u00a0Casa da Tapioca then stood up to respond\u00a0to Alex Gillott\u2019s intervention, that it was the family\u2019s choice to move out: \u201cToday, a lot of people sell their house to earn good money\u2013eight years ago, you would earn only R$2000\u00a0for a small house… You have to see that people may also be selling for their benefit, for their well-being. The owner of Casa da Tapioca did not get pressured to sell.\u201d She then advised:\u00a0\u201cPeople, think well. Today our area’s value is going up; it is a fact. If you have the opportunity to sell your house for a good amount of money, sell it!\u201d She then insisted\u00a0that if the new businessmen wanted to create\u00a0social projects in the\u00a0community, residents should support it.<\/p>\n

After conducting a survey of residents at\u00a0the previous\u00a0“Fala Vidigal” events, Sara Junger, founder of the Albergue da Communidade community homestay project, observed that most complaints in the area of Arvr\u00e3o were concerning the volume\u00a0of the late parties hosted there. She questioned Conrado: \u201cHow can you keep a balance with the noise, that perturbs the sleep of residents, in an area of Arvr\u00e3o which was traditionally quiet? But all of a sudden, you have these events?… Also, it would be great if there would be discounts for residents of the community attending\u00a0the parties, or potential cultural events,\u201d also evoking the generally expensive prices at these events. Conrado responded by saying\u00a0that they were trying everything they could\u00a0to satisfy everyone: \u201cAt all the events that we give at the hotel, we separate a quantity of tickets at a more accessible price for the community… About the noise, as we know each other for a while, you must know that we always go to the houses of the residents, ask how it is, if we are bothering\u00a0them\u2013we always ask our closest neighbors, the ones who are directly concerned with the noise,\u201d he explained, although part of the crowd vocalized doubts to his statement.<\/p>\n

Sara continued: \u201cAnother issue concerns the line of [community] minivans during the nights of the event; residents\u00a0feel they are being set aside in favor of the clients of the events rather than residents. Would it be possible to have a separate transportation system for people going to the events?\u201d<\/p>\n

Conrado replied that they already tried to arrange meeting points for minivans going to the events, to avoid impacting the common minivan line. Marcelo from the neighborhood association added: \u201cThe resident association held\u00a0many meetings, with the moto-taxis drivers as well as the owners of the minivans… We talked about the impact they had on traffic and the problems they were creating. It was confirmed that there would be a normal rotation which would pick guests up for the events together with residents. And that everyone would pay the same price. Unfortunately, this cannot be the responsibility of the association. It is the responsibility of the owners of the minivans, of the moto-taxis.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statements on new entrepreneurship in Vidigal ended when a minivan driver from the community followed up, supporting the new businesses: \u201cIt leads to very good resources for the community, for everyone, new residents, persons with a different culture, it benefits everyone.\u201d He remarked:\u00a0\u201cVidigal is not a favela anymore. Vidigal is a ‘bairro’ [formal neighborhood]. In favelas, there are precarious shelters, there is misery. Here there is no such thing… The only real difficulty here is accessibility and traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout the event, different opinions from residents about the new entrepreneurs in the community emerged, contributing to a productive debate.<\/p>\n

The fourth \u201cFala Vidigal\u201d debate will invite public authorities<\/a> to discuss their plans for the community and hear resident concerns, and will take place on June 3 at 7pm in the amphitheatre in the entrance of Vidigal. Click here<\/a> for the invitation.<\/p>\n

For more information on the debate series, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch the slideshow from the 3rd Fala Vidigal event:
\n