NEW PUBLICATION—Favela vs. Asphalt: Suggesting a New Lens
March 1, 2020 Now available “Favela vs. Asphalt: Suggesting a New Lens on Rio de Janeiro’s Favelas and Formal City” chapter by Catalytic Communities’ [...]
What is a favela?
CHAPTER AVAILABLE—Rio’s Favelas: The Power of Informal Urbanism
March 1, 2019 Now available “Rio’s Favelas: The Power of Informal Urbanism” chapter by Catalytic Communities’ Theresa Williamson published in [...]
Humans of New York Publishes CatComm View on Favelas
On March 9, 2017, Catalytic Communities’ Executive Director Theresa Williamson was quoted on the world-famous Humans of New York Facebook and Instagram feeds, which [...]
CatComm’s Theresa Williamson Visits Santa Marta Favela with Matt Lauer and The TODAY Show
Watch Theresa Williamson with Matt Lauer, visiting the Santa Marta favela on The TODAY Show [...]
What is a Favela? [ANIMATED VIDEO]
July 19, 2016–Catalytic Communities launched ‘What is a Favela,’ a short animated educational video describing the historic and socio-cultural basics of [...]
Rio Favela Facts
URBANISM Favelas are places increasingly recognized by planners and architects for their: Low-rise, high density development Pedestrian orientation High use of bicycles & [...]
Qualities of Urban Informality
By 2050, around one third of the world’s population is expected to be living in informal settlements. The processes of informal production have an essential role in [...]
A Lawyer Responds: What is a Favela?
by Alex Ferreira Magalhães, Professor of Urban and Environmental Law at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro The construction of the concept of a favela, specifically [...]
A Planner Responds: What is a Favela?
by Theresa Williamson, Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning and Executive Director of Catalytic Communities After fifteen years visiting favelas across Rio on a weekly [...]
‘Favelas’ Across Latin America: Interactive Map
Country-by-country translations for ‘favela’ and the policies and realities that shape them. Reflecting on the huge generalization which results in using just [...]