Social and grassroots organizations working within communities have been working to take back control of the 'collective memory' of the favela - its history and development - through story-telling and the construction of community museums.

Social and economic development on the hills has contributed significantly to improved relations between those living in communities and those living on the asphalt.

the great majority of communities now have running water and electricity, reducing the disparity in living conditions between the two groups - in the more gentrified favelas, such as vidigal, rocinha and santa marta, many successful bars and restaurants have emerged attracting both 'asphalt' residents and tourists alike.