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Scooped by Seth Dixon onto Geography Education |
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Since Katrina, the cartoonish pace of vegetation growth in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans resembles something out of a Chia Pet commercial.
The ecosystem is reclaiming parts of New Orleans that have been physically or economically abandoned. This is part elevation, climate and ecosystem; but it is also about urban land uses, disinvestment and socioeconomics.
Tags: urban ecology, environment, ecology, urban, unit 7 cities, disasters, land use.
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RIO DE JANEIRO — Look at most maps of Rio de Janeiro. The beaches are easy to spot, as are the iconic ocean-front neighborhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema. In the middle is a vast forest.
Seth Dixon's insight:
A nonprofit organization run by current and former favela residents called Redes da Mare has started the first mapping program to systematically chart out the favelas for municipal governments. We take for granted what having an address on a named street means in a modern society; it is a portal to public utilities, recognition with businesses and countless other social benefits. Being left 'off the map' is synonymous with being left behind. By finding their way on the city maps they are removing some of the social stigma that sought to treat them as if they did not exist. 
chris tobin's curator insight,
February 21, 3:06 PM
Being left off the map is ludicrous. It should be surprising how many there are,what they pick for addresses, and population statistics. Hopefully this will also help them to get aid for poverty relief.
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2012 has had many stories around the globe have grabbed the headlines with their shocking tales. Some of the most important shifts in the world however are incremental processes that happen slowly... This article from Foreign Policy shares some great global stories that may end up impacting the coming years as well: 1) India and Pakistan start trading more 2) Brazil becomes an immigration destination 3) Inuits strike it rich 4) A tropical disease nearly eradicated 5) The copyright wars go 3-D 6) The end of the Indian call center (Philippines) 7) Hong Kong fights back 8) Moscow on the Med (Cyprus) 9) Oil discoveries in Central Africa 10) Island dispute between Iran and UAE 
Kristen McDaniel's curator insight,
January 4, 9:57 AM
What was missed in the news? Take a look at some of the stories from around the world! Delete the scoop?
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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — South American engineers are trying to tackle one of the continent's greatest natural challenges: the towering Andes mountain chain that creates a costly physical barrier for... At the NCGE conference, noted author Harm De Blij mentioned a daring project that would link Eastern South America with the Pacific as engineers were planning to tunnel under the Andes mountains. Here is a link to an article on this intermodal transportation project that would lower the shipping costs from East Asia to the Southern Atlantic. Government officials in both Argentina and Brazil have described the project as a matter of "national interest." Tags: transportation, LatinAmerica, globalization, industry, economic, development, unit 6 industry. Delete the scoop?
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Ambitious development plans for the 2016 Summer Olympics, as well as the 2014 soccer World Cup, involve large-scale evictions from numerous slums, whose residents are refusing to leave.
The urban revitalization issues in Rio de Janiero are not new, but they will intensify in global importance (or at least coverage) as the time for the World Cup and Olympics approaches. What are the aesthetics and economics behind revitalization? What are the social issues that should be addressed? 
Nick Flanagan's curator insight,
December 12, 2012 9:56 PM
I think it's good for these people to stand their ground on the olympic building. There country gave up on them so why should they be forced to move and supposrt their government. I think when this happened in 2008 in Beijing it was wrong. They were showing the tourists only a portion of what their country is like and not letting them see just how bad it can be at times. The popel in brazil are not letting that happen so easily. Delete the scoop?
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Brazil, South America’s largest economy, is finally poised to realize its potential as a global player, economists say.
This article, dated 2008, shows how at the beginning of the global economic downturn, Brazil and other "BRIC" countries were comparatively doing better compared to the more established economic powers. Although Brazil has been frequently noted for it's unequal distribution of wealth, since 2001, this income gap has been shrinking and a middle class is starting to grow. 
Matt Mallinson's comment,
September 26, 2012 10:10 AM
It's amazing that the U.S economy isn't all that good, but a country from South America is growing in this time. Good for Brazil, now we just need to fix our economy.
Derek Ethier's comment,
September 30, 2012 7:09 PM
This is very beneficial for Brazil, especially with the World Cup coming within the next few years. A middle class is essential so that there are consumers. In a country with only an upper class and desperately poor lower class, poverty and crime run rampant in the masses while a small elite control the nations money. It is important that Brazil continue this trend of a shrinking income gap.
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Brazil has overtaken the UK as the world's sixth largest economy, the Centre for Economics and Business Research says.
The "BRIC" countries are surging forward and are seen as major players in the global economy (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Brazil just recently past the U.K. as the 6th largest economy. China passed Japan not more than a year ago. Furthermore, Russia and India are poised to pass the traditional European economic powers (U.K., Germany, France and Italy) by 2020. In this restructuring of the global economy, what will the impacts be on various regions of the world?
Matt Mallinson's comment,
September 26, 2012 10:04 AM
Until learning this, I had no idea Brazil was considered one of the world's top six largest economies. When I think of Brazil I think of rainforests and the amazing city of Rio de Jeneiro, I want to visit there at least once before I die.
Elizabeth Allen's comment,
November 16, 2012 5:28 PM
The statistics prove that Brazil is higher ranking economically that the UK. Brazil is succeeding economically. It must have to with their natural resources and financial gains of exporting goods.
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Rio de Janeiro, which is hosting soccer's World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, is trying to remake its hundreds of favelas.
There are urban geography applications obviously, but what about the cultural, political and economic logic of purging the slums before "the world comes to visit?" We've seen this recently in Beijing and in other sites of international events. Why now? Why not before?
Matt Mallinson's comment,
September 26, 2012 11:53 AM
Rio doesn't care to much for the favelas apparently, or else they would of helped those people years ago. It's good that they're trying to remake the favelas, but it's sad that they only seem to be doing it because the world cup and Olympics are being held there.
Derek Ethier's comment,
September 30, 2012 7:01 PM
Rio is clearly trying to clean up their slums so they do not embarrass themselves on a national stage. During events like the World Cup, all eyes are on the host nation so they do all they can to improve all aspects of their country. Unfortunately, Brazil cares little for their people and more for the money the World Cup will flood into their nation.
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I love these favela images by Fernando Alan.
Seth Dixon's insight:
Tags: Brazil, urban, squatter, images, urban ecology. 
Trisha Klancar's curator insight,
December 18, 2012 8:01 PM
Amazing images to bring this to life for kids who have no concept what the favela looks like. Delete the scoop?
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ESPN Video: With the FIFA World Cup two years away, will Brazil be ready to host soccers premiere event? This short sports documentary (12 minutes) looks at some of the socioeconomic and urban planning issues that are a part of the logistics for a country to prepare for a sporting event on the magnitude of the World Cup. The discussion of demolitions in the favelas (squatter settlements) is especially intriguing. Major sporting events of this magnitude that last for two weeks can reshape local geographic patterns for decades. 
Sam Capron's curator insight,
February 20, 9:19 PM
There is a massive amount of prep work that is going to hosting the FIFA world cup and the next Olympic games. I wonder what will happen to these beautiful stadiums after the games are over. My bet would be a slowly worsening level of disrepair. Delete the scoop?
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TED Talks Eduardo Paes is the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, a sprawling, complicated, beautiful city of 6.5 million.
What should city planners be doing to maintain a vibrant city? The Mayor of Rio de Janeiro explains his vision for cities and city management for the future. Delete the scoop?
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Infrastructure demanded by the sporting world's most powerful corporate interests render families homeless in Brazil.
Matt Mallinson's comment,
September 26, 2012 12:02 PM
Its good to see Brazil finally attempt to fix this mess, there are to many people living in poverty with no help. I hope things go well for the people of Rio.
Nick Flanagan's curator insight,
December 12, 2012 9:34 PM
While I'm glad that they are dong something for their poor, it makes me wonder if they are only doing it for the upcoming world cup and olympics. I just wonder if they are trying to hide some of what really goes on there from tourists so they will think everything in brazil is all good. Delete the scoop?
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Years of hatred and mistrust are thawing in some of Rio's most violent slums.
This compelling video depicts some of the challenges that the police in Rio de Janeiro face in trying to bring more effective goverance into some of the more poverty-striken, drug-riddled neighborhoods in the city. This slums, known as favelas, are receiving increased attention as Rio is hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.
Matt Mallinson's comment,
September 26, 2012 10:20 AM
The government in Brazil better be on top of everything in a few years, the World Cup and the Olympic Games make people crazy sometimes. Most nations are crazy about their nation's sports, especially Brazil.
Derek Ethier's comment,
September 30, 2012 7:06 PM
This, like the previous articles, shows how Brazil is now finally trying to improve life for people in favelas. Unfortunately, it is not because they care much about them, but because they do not want the world seeing these horrific neighborhoods during the World Cup. They are also trying to eliminate violence so that people even want to visit their country for the cup. It is all about money and their image on the international stage.
Sam Capron's curator insight,
February 20, 9:23 PM
I can respect what the police are trying to accomplish in this area, but on the other hand I have great reservations about their motives. While I believe that the officers themselves have the best intentions at heart, the people that are funding the government and make the top level decisions are clearly only thinking about how the country will be during the time they host the FIFA world cup and the Olympics. Otherwise this endeavor would have taken place years ago when help was really needed, instead of when it is the most beneficial for the elite. Delete the scoop?
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See a photo of Iguazu Falls in South America and download free wallpaper from National Geographic.
Beautiful image! South America's equivalent to the Niagara Falls is a place that students should see. 
's comment, January 30, 2012 2:13 PM
very pretty waterfall...does remind me of pictures of Niagara fallss
Gordon Riley's comment,
February 2, 2012 5:20 PM
This is quite the amazing photo. It expresses both the beauty and implacable power of nature. I am also amazed, yet never surprised, to discover the facility that was built on the edge of the falls, to offer the experience to all viewers. It is another model of human ingenuity.
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