Study Space V
Evaluations of Human Habitats and Habits in the 21st Century
Inclusive and Sustainable Rio: Cultural Diversity, Property and the Environment
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
July 11-18, 2010
Study Space is an intensive series of workshops, held at diverse locations, the goal of which is to acquire a deeper understanding of the legal, policy and human challenges posed by the global growth of megacities. Study Space intends to provide a vehicle for progressive scholars and graduate students from varied backgrounds and disciplines to study and seek to understand this trend in all of its implications – for identify and self-determination, for participatory democracy, for equality and social justice, for human health, for the environment, for livable cities and for manageable land use. The emphasis of each Study Space week is on applied learning, supplemented by lecture and group discussion. The Study Space weeks are demanding but, participants report, deeply rewarding.
Study Space V: Inclusive and Sustainable Rio: Cultural Diversity, Property and the Environment will give participants a first-hand look at some of the most pressing issues in Rio de Janeiro. Specifically, the workshop will examine three central questions: (1) the degree to which Rio’s unique physical environment is threatened by demands to develop its resources; (2) ways in which historical, social and economic property claims conflict in legal, social and political terms; and (3) the extent to which cultural diversity goals can both promote and impede resolution of property and environmental goals. All of these issues are ever timelier with the impending changes associated with the World Cup (2014) and Olympic Games (2016).
The director of the Study Space project is Colin Crawford, Professor of Law and Co-Director, Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth, Georgia State University College of Law; the project team consists of Professor Daniel Bonilla Maldonado (University of the Andes Faculty of Law, Bogotá), Professor Érika Fontánez-Torres (University of Puerto Rico School of Law, San Juan), Professor Carmen G. Gonzalez (Seattle University School of Law), Professor Tom I. Romero II (Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul) and Professor Francisco Valdes (University of Miami School of Law). Professor Rômulo S.R. Sampaio, an expert on Brazilian environmental law at FGV Direito-Rio, is the local coordinator of Study Space V.
The schedule for Study Space V: Inclusive and Sustainable Rio: Cultural Diversity, Property and the Environment will require participants to observe two daily commitments: (1) attend the morning lectures and daily field study experience and (2) attend the evening’s study dinner. In addition, participants will be required to (3) read a packet of background legal and other materials prior to Study Space V and (4) research and prepare an essay for publication following the workshop.
COST AND TRAVEL DETAILS
The total cost for this week, which includes double occupancy accommodations (seven nights total in clean but basic lodgings), breakfast daily, events admissions, materials, gratuities, speaker honoraria, and ground transport while in Rio de Janeiro for Study Space V events is $1,000.00 US. For a private room and bath, the fee is $1,200.00 US; the quantity is limited and rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Airline tickets must be purchased separately; airport ground transportation not included.
Persons from the Global South or those with no or limited institutional support may apply for limited subsidies to help offset the cost of participation. To be considered for such a subsidy, or if you have special concerns or circumstances, contact Professor Colin Crawford at ccrawford@gsu.edu.
LANGUAGE
Most lectures will be in English. Where they are not, there will be English translation. Many presentations will be in Portuguese, with English translation. Although Portuguese language ability will be helpful, it will not be necessary to participate fully.
WEATHER
Winters in Rio de Janeiro are relatively mild; daily temperatures during July average 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit); nights can be slightly cooler. Rain is possible. Dress will be casual. A good pair of walking shoes and a light rain jacket is recommended.
POST-PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT
In addition to the participation requirements outlined above, Study Space participants are expected to produce a piece of original scholarship (minimum 5,000 words), suitable for publication. These papers will be collected and published together in symposium format either in hard copy print (in book or review) or published in electronic form on the websites of the Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth, Georgia State University College of Law, and/or that of Latino & Latina Critical Theory, Inc. Drafts will be due on March 15, 2011.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Participants should arrive by midday on Saturday, July 10, 2010 to allow time to rest and prepare for the week. Those who cannot begin on the morning of Sunday, July 11, 2010 should elect not to apply to attend Study Space V and instead consider attendance at future Study Space seminars.
Sunday, July 12
9:00 am Rio de Janeiro City and security briefing
9:30 am Lecture on the history and land use development pattern of Rio de Janeiro
11:00 am Van tour of historical Rio de Janeiro, beginning with a visit to Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer monument) to appreciate the city’s physical organization, followed by a tour of the port redevelopment area, Saúde and Gamboa neighborhoods, Imperial and Republication Rio (the Paço Imperial and Cinelândia);
late lunch in the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
7:00 pm: Lecture on Rio’s demographic profile: class, race, ethnicity and the environment
8 pm: Group discussion and study dinner.
Monday, July 13
9:00 am: Lecture: use and Rio’s environment – the case of Guanabara Bay
10:30 am– 4:30 pm: Boat tour of Guanabara Bay (with lunch and lecture)
7:00 pm: Group discussion and study dinner
Tuesday, July 14
9:00 am: Lecture: cultural diversity, law, land use and the environment
11:00 am: Roundtable discussion on cultural diversity in Rio de Janeiro, followed by optional small group field visits to social projects throughout the city
7:00 pm: Group discussion and study dinner
Wednesday, July 15
9:00 am–9:30 am: Protected areas briefing: law, policy and competing property claims
9:30 am – 10:30 am: Lecture: environmental claims and the property titling debate
11 am: Visit to community engaged in property titling debate
7:00 pm: Group discussion and study dinner
Thursday, July 16
9:00 am-10:00 am: Lecture on Atlantic Rainforest in Rio and
development pressures on natural resources
10:30 am-3:30 pm: Visit to and lecture in the Tijuca National Forest
7:00 pm: Group discussion and study dinner
Friday, July 17
8:30 am–4:30 am: Lecture and field visit on property, environmental change and social and economic change: Development and Destruction: case study on the Bay of Sepetiba (with lunch).
Saturday, July 18
9 am – 12 noon: Group discussion: research and publication agenda
12 noon: Some participants depart.
OPTIONAL FOUR-DAY RAIN FOREST TRIP
Itatiaia National Park, created in 1937, is Brazil’s first national park and is located in Rio de Janeiro State approximately three hours by road from the city of Rio de Janeiro in prime Atlantic Rainforest. Study Space is offering a special four-day educational visit to Itatiaia. The group will leave at noon on Saturday, July 18, returning late afternoon on Wednesday, July 21. The all-inclusive price of $450.00 US per person includes transportation, three-night accommodations and all meals in a comfortable mountain lodge, and tours led by university biology faculty and local guides. Subsidies are not available for this tour; friends and family are welcome.
Interested applicants should inform Professor Crawford.
