Insurgent Practices for the Right to Housing: Overview of Occupations in the Central Area of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

In recent years, downtown Rio de Janeiro has undergone profound transformations, driven by revitalization projects such as Operação Urbana Porto Maravilha and the Reviver Centro. By failing to provide for investments in social housing, these projects promote urban segregation, resulting in forced evictions, insecurity of tenure, and repression of affordable housing. In response, urban occupations of vacant properties have emerged as forms of insurgency and resistance to the housing crisis, challenging the judicial system and public policies to reconsider the right to housing and the social function of property. This article presents an overview of occupations in the downtown area and proposes a reflection on the social and political implications of these occupations in light of ongoing interventions in the downtown area.