Cracolândia, also known as Crackland in

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

, is a popular denomination for a region of the city of

São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...

, which is notorious for its high incidence of drug trafficking and drug use in public. It is located within the central region of the city, near

Luz Station Luz Station (, ) is a commuter rail and intercity rail station in the Bom Retiro (district of São Paulo), Bom Retiro district of São Paulo, Brazil, serving RFFSA, the intercity rail network of Brazil, Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos ...

Recent history

Since 2005, the city hall has shut down bars and hotels associated with

drug distribution The distribution of medications has special drug safety and security considerations. Some drugs require cold chain management in their distribution. The industry uses track and trace technology, though the timings for implementation and the in ...

and

prostitution Prostitution is a type of sex work that involves engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, no ...

, displaced

homeless people Homelessness, also known as houselessness or being unhoused or unsheltered, is the condition of lacking stable, safe, and functional housing. It includes living on the streets, moving between temporary accommodation with family or friends, liv ...

, and increased police presence with the intent to inhibit drug use in Cracolândia. Hundreds of buildings were designated as public utility in a 1.1 million square foot area, and were expropriated. The objective of the project was to increase the attractiveness of the region to private businesses. In 2007, the São Paulo city hall launched a program named Nova Luz (''New Light'' in Portuguese, referring to the broader region around

) in order to promote the execution of the planned changes to the region. Among the proposed measures were tax breaks, especially on real estate taxes, to stimulate the renewal of the facades of buildings, which are generally poorly maintained. Critics of this program, however, claimed it to have a basis on social hygiene movements, highlighting that the renovations in buildings, parks, and streets were not accompanied by assistance towards the vulnerable groups who inhabit or work in the region, who are being effectively removed. The homeless are displaced, trash collectors have their job put in jeopardy, and crack users and dependents are left without a place to gather, being left to wander adjacent and otherwise nearby neighborhoods.

Popular culture

* Cracolândia is prominently featured in

Verdades Secretas ''Verdades Secretas'' (English: ''Hidden Truths'') is a Brazilian telenovela created by Walcyr Carrasco and directed by Mauro Mendonça Filho and Amora Mautner. Produced and broadcast by TV Globo, it premiered on 8 June 2015. The second seas ...

when a model becomes addicted to crack which leads to her eventually becoming homeless living in the area.

References

{{coord missing, Brazil Neighbourhoods in São Paulo Illegal drug trade in South America Illegal drug trade in Latin America Drugs in Brazil

Recent history

Popular culture

See also

References