Although Rio has many shantytowns, the one on the hillside above Copacabana fosters much of the crime against tourists. Until that tourist crime is sharply reduced, influential writers will be ambivalent about the charms of Rio, as in this advice to business travelers:

There is another good reason for focusing on the Copa shantytown. Unlike many of the other favelas in Rio, it is close to jobs and occupies potentially valuable real estate. The views from its dwellings are often better than from the expensive apartments below. Consequently, there would be market forces strongly pushing up property values in the Copa favela - IF basic government services there were improved. Those increasing home values could support property taxes that might fully reimburse the government for the costs of its increased services. A similar fast payback of taxes is not likely in most other Rio favelas, which is a further reason for the government to focus on the Copa favela. It should be noted that property tax payback is on TOP of the basic investment reason for government monies for the Copa favela: its crime that creates a huge negative effect on citywide tourism and private investment.

The details of upgrading the Copacabana favela are beyond the scope of this website. There are some government improvements being made, like a hillside lift to assist residents in their climb up the mountain to their dwellings. But trash collection, sewage, and law enforcement in the favela seem like they could be greatly improved. Rio officials might want to investigate how the combination of government efforts and private market investments upgraded the squatter shantytown on Hong Kong island, built initially without government approval on difficult, sloping land near the downtown. This now prosperous area of Hong Kong features many substantial high rise buildings.

There are other examples worldwide where combined government and private efforts have been of benefit to both tourists and residents of crowded cities:

New York - tolls for limited vehicle access to Manhattan; crime reduction in 1990's

San Francisco - new, landscaped trolley line (with antique trolleys) along the tourist waterfront corridor between Fisherman's Wharf and Market Street downtown

Miami Beach - recovery from 1960's slump, revitalization of art deco buildings

Venice - large car park on mainland for transfer to mass transit (largely vaporettos)

New Orleans - trolley transportation as a tourist attraction - like the streetcar named Desire

Honolulu/ Waikiki - oceanfront landscaping, great shopping

Nice - lively market area near old town waterfront; festivals along Promenade des Anglais

Siena - large parts of city are limited to pedestrians only

Santa Monica - tourists and residents enjoy strolling in cliffside park, pier, quiet beach paths

In planning a revitalization of Copacabana and nearby areas, Rio officials could benefit from the successful experiences of the above cities. The world would applaud their efforts!