A few community museums have also been opened to help residents construct a sense of 'collective memory.'

A poll in 2009, conducted by the Instituto Pereira Passos - IPP (Pereira Passos Institute), found that there were 968 favelas in the city, 218 more than in 2004 - Hence, in a period of 5 years, an average of 3 favelas per month emerged.

Favelas in metropolitan rio de janeiro now occupy over 3 million square meters, which equates to 3.7 percent of the total area of the city.

Social and economic development on the hills has contributed significantly to improved living conditions in the favelas - Almost all communities now have running water and electricity, reducing the disparity in living conditions between those living on the hills, and those in more affluent areas.