An economic approach on the urban development of squatter settlements in hillsides high-risk areas

This study discusses possible uses of urban strategies and instruments provided by the Brazilian urban legislation, as a path for the economic development and improvement of squatters' settlements in hillsides high-risk areas. As case study, we have compared the social and economic structure of the middle-class neighborhood of Saco dos Limoes to the adjacent urban squatter settlement of Alto da Caieira, both located in Morro da Cruz, Florianopolis, Southern Brazil, where recent implementation by the Federal Government of actions of the "Acceleration Growth Program" (PAC) occurred.