Comments - Latest Popular Stories, Instablogs Community by Celsoldc

Sandhya

Sandhya — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Hi,You have used very powerful pics, which made me to read whole article.Will look forward for other part of the article

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Thank you. As soon as my brain back to normal, I’ll be publishing the other part.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I guess those people who started to rebuild the city are the civil society. This group can indeed do a lot when all the members put their hearts and minds to it. Urban rehabilitation is an extremely tough task.

But what can make this city recover faster is still the local government. A tough mayor or governor that means business can expedite the work of civil society tenfold. It’s still government that has all the tools needed for urban reform.

But, of course, that rests on tons of political will.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Yes, the change came from civil society and the local government was pressured to make the most different types of social projects and urban planning.

Sasmita

Sasmita — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

But Celso I think Sao Paulo is also known for some good reasons as well. Well, as I have not seen the place I fear to visit even if I get a chance in future. So you have the experience of Hell in Sao Paulo? The way you have described the place is heart-breaking, I feel like crying really. Your images are aptly choosen to support the subject. Good!

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Thank you. This was the portrait of the city at the years 80’s and 90’s. Things have changed a lot, for example, the number of people living in slums fell from 5 to 2 million in recent years.

Oscar

Oscar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Celso,

Incredible story and pictures. I feel as if my country is just getting to where Sao Paulo WAS. I hope, we as a Nation, find the strength to ”reverse fate” and begin reconstruction on all levels as well..

Un gran saludo amigo!!!

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

It is very sad when we see a place we love degrade rapidly. The bottom of the pit that reached Sao Paulo is an example of the incompetence, omission and corruption of our leaders can cause. And Oscar, I sincerely hope that Mexico does not become what it was Sao Paulo, as are brands that are very painful.

Un abrazo amigo!

Jaiyant Cavale

Jaiyant Cavale — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Sao Paulo is the symbol of modern urban civilization. There couldn’t be a better example for urban growth and expansion. Most cities of this magnitude have their problems with crime, mafia, poverty and other social problems at a greater rate than smaller cities. The fact that Sao Paulo is in a developing country worsens the condition. Bombay is like a still uglier twin of Sao Paulo.. Expect we lack helicopter taxis....

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Don’t bother, Jaiyant, I’ll send you a helicopter.

But what you said is true. Large cities in developing countries can be a really monstrosity, a gift from the devil himself. However, if Sao Paulo could find a way out, any other city can (though this change in Sao Paulo occurred because of the richness of the city, other Brazilian metropolis are sinking rapidly, but with a difference, they do not have a tenth of the wealth that Sao Paulo has).

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I believe, Sao Paolo will overcome the attendant challenges of urban expansion and cosmopolitanism. I due time, it will learn the lessons of other urban models and emulate the best practices in urban management.

It will just take tremendous will on the part of local government and an ever invigorated civil society.

There should be a Sao Paolo Metropolitan Commission that’s like a little government within the local government.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

This type of action exists, but in a decentralized and participation of local government there. But because of the number of social projects that are being developed / implemented, the participation of government ends being reduced. A kind of privatization of the social sector of the city is what is happening in Sao Paulo.

However, the mayor come up with very good ideas, like the ”Clean City” Law, a very unusual law that banned advertisements in the city.

Grace Calderon

Grace Calderon — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Sao Paolo is well on its way to greatness! It’s just a little too difficult because it is a huge urban location.

I remember a few years back, I read in some news, when Lee Kwan Yew was proudly presenting the achievements in urban development that Singapore has achieved, then the premier of China rebutted and said, to this effect: ”Oh sure yes, I can do the same if I were the mayor of Shanghai.” Of course, it was clear to the audience of that conference that the Chinese leader meant that Singapore was able to do it quickly because it wasn’t as big as China, and Shanghai of much smaller size can do the same.

I wonder if Shanghai, indeed, was able to do the same. LOL

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I guess, as you said, these huge urban locations are very hard to administrate. Problems don’t go away easily and it’s required a lot of ”social” capital. And laws rarely resolves something.

The only place I know here in Brazil that was able to get unbelievable achievements was Ribeirao Preto (medium city in Sao Paulo state, with 500 thousands inhabitants), but it’s a very, very rich city (it’s the Brazilian ethanol capital with a very high GDP per capita - up to $30,000).

But the arrogance of the Chinese leader makes me wonder what will happen with Shangai now.

Madhuri Katti

Madhuri Katti — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Celso...

Thats an optimistic post! Nice pictures...

Civil society can do a lot only if government doesn’t put roadblocks.

I am sure Sao Paolo will magically re- organise itself over and over again, inspite of all roadblocks. The basic spirit of inhabitants is positive. Thats a vital point.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Thank you!

This is true, the situation was unbearable and it was necessary a series of actions to start to change it.

Madhuri Katti

Madhuri Katti — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I think for any change, the initiation of the process is important...right momentum takes it forward...

Strength of civil society lies in numbers and its great that they patiently trying to move forward. And its rare to find a Mayor who takes sensible decisions keeping city in mind.

It takes efforts to rise above immediate self-interest and do something for our environment and city.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

You are absolutely right!

I don’t know exactly when it started, but a decisive moment was when a Irish Catholic priest decided to take community members to a cemetery in Sao Paulo, showing them what was happening.

Little by little, more and more people, from intellectuals to billionaires, from very poor people to socialites, started to get seriously worried about the situation. And so begun the pressure on Mayors and Governors and the result is a change beyond any sociological explanation.

You’re absolutely right in point at the strength of civil society. And about the timing? Who would imagine that a visit to a cemetery could make such difference?

Madhuri Katti

Madhuri Katti — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Phoenix always rises from the ashes!

Zach P

Zach P — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Photo of just the Treme Treme alone is very moving. I think this piece is written a little too forcefully though–even for an editorial. You present the evidence, and let the reader decide for themselves whether or not Sao Paulo is hell.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

To keep impersonality on this topic is something very difficult for me because it brings with it some of my best and worst memories of my childhood and adolescence. But it was good you have warned me, because now I can prevent the ”Latin spirit” come to the surface.

Alexis

Alexis — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

In some districts the rate of homicide is over 400 per 1000? Are you crazy? Almost half the population is murdered a year? That way who fills in the gaps? Why would people move in to such places? This is unbelievable.

Celso Camargo

Celso Camargo — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

400 per HUNDRED 1000.

Richard

Richard — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Sao Paulo is a great, great city. It is a symbol of modern civilisation as Jaiyant said. The problems related to crime in Sao Paolo is typical of a rapidly growing city in a developing country in general, and Latin America in particular. I am not too surprised.

Kate

Kate — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Celso Camargo:

Let me first congratulate you on this wonderful article. It is not always the rest of the world get insights of cities of South America. I have learned quite a few things here like some high murder rates. Very strong writing and the pictures you put are awesome. Thanks for all the information.

Anna T

Anna T — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I like this-migration as it is by M. Kerjman, Australia, UAE stuff:

http://mkwrk2.instablogs.com/entry/in-the-realm-of-pride/