off the wall

A federation of favela residents in Rio de Janeiro has worked out a compromise with the state government on the walls the government wants to build around 13 squatter communities, Free Speech Radio News reports.

Among the significant changes: the height of the walls will be reduced from 9 feet to 2 feet, at least in some places.

The key here is also this: despite the government's ecological fears, favelas should not be penned in. The state and city governments should work with the favelados so that these communities can police their own borders and control their own growth.