M : MORRO DA FORMIGA
Morro da Formiga, bordering the Tijuca Forest and Tijuca neighbourhood demonstrates the Água Carioca system applied at scale ‘M’. The Cascata River will have the same quality upon entering as upon leaving the Favela. The river will be swimmable and usable for recreational purposes and most importantly become a shining example of how environmental pollution and river degradation in informal neighborhoods can be reversed.
The fields of constructed wetlands will create a green and healthy environment to share public life and repopulate the urban space in front of the houses. They will therefore also contribute to a safer environment. As a side effect, the new terraced landscape acts as a buffer and adds to safety from landslides during heavy rainfalls. It will raise sustainable consciousness and send out positive signals. On a social level the proposal will promote social inclusion and introduce a new culture of recycling water to the Brazilian society that can become an example not only for the city of Rio, but also for Brazil and worldwide.
Population: 4.312
Area: 19,9 ha
Density: 217 POP/Ha
Water supply: CEDAE & Mountain Springs
Proposal for: 750 buildings | 2700 people | 347 m3 water/day
A larger community, the residents of Formiga have set up water management societies to share the water supply from nearby natural springs and organise ‘community actions’ to improve the well-being of their community and quality of the local environment.
The local mountain stream, the Cascata, which eventually joins the Guanabara Bay, is clean upon entering the neighbourhood and gradually transforms in to an open sewer during the course of passing through Formiga.