The use of ICTs in selfconstructed territorries. The 4D mapping of Rocinha and the right to the city

Abstract

This article proposes an observation about slums and ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies), aiming to analyze in which measure, the use of contemporary technologies in poor areas can promote the reduction of social and spatial inequality in Brazilian cities. To reach that, the article shows a case study about the 4D mapping of Rocinha Slum, an experimental action lead by MIT (Massachussets Institute of Technology) together with the government of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The study discusses the concept of smart cities, its singularities and its application in such a complex and unequal context, which are the population’s condition of social participation in a project this big in a favela like Rocinha. In the end, some reflections related to right to the city are made and how can technology contribute or not to amplify the access of this right.

Keywords: right to the city, smart city, Rocinha slum, self-constructed territories.