over time, governments and social organizations have implemented a number of favela development plans which demonstrate a strong commitment to the environment and to providing the local economy and its population with sustainable means for growth.

The idea of sustainable development derives from an understanding that resources are finite and populations need to use the assets at their disposal in a responsible way.

In developing areas of the world this has become increasingly important as often people emerging from poverty are not immediately concerned with the sustainability of their consumption, but with being able to consume something, first and foremost. 

The Morar Carioca (Live Carioca) program, started in 2010, is a ground-breaking favela urbanization plan governed by the principle of sustainability. Under the program, the infrastructure of over 150,000 existing buildings and community establishments will be vastly improved by 2020.