Final answer:
Brazilian cities are expanding horizontally due to industrialization and the rural-to-urban migration, with Sao Paulo being a major industrial hub. The urban periphery is characterized by the spread of favelas and a lack of public services, reflecting deep social challenges. This expansion follows the 'Spanish model,' necessitating strategic urban planning to accommodate growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The growth dynamics of Brazilian cities such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro exemplify a widespread rural-to-urban migration pattern. Foundational to these cities' development, industrialization has played a critical role, transforming São Paulo into a major industrial metropolis, the heart of Brazil's economy. The city is not only recognized for its industrial activities, but also for sectors like financial services and tourism. In contrast, Rio de Janeiro, while still an essential part of the urban core, is more renowned for its tourism.
As migration continues from rural areas to the urban core, the peripheral regions of these cities are marked by the spread of favelas, informal settlements that reflect the social challenges faced by the growing urban population. These include issues such as poverty, congestion, crime, and a lack of public services, which together pose significant obstacles to sustainable urban development.
The phenomenon of urban expansion in Brazil aligns with the 'Spanish model' where cities grow outward through concentric rings. As each ring matures, new rings of squatter settlements emerge, fueling the horizontal expansion of cities and stretching municipal resources thin. Policy-makers and urban planners face the daunting task of integrating these expanding peripheries, where the favelas often lack city services, with the more established urban core.