The Construction of Bento Rodrigues

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

Located 24 kilometers from Mariana (MG), the community of Bento Rodrigues, sub-district of Santa Rita Durão, it was the first to be hit by the collapse of the Fundão dam on November 5th, 2015. Settlers began arriving in the area in the early eighteenth century, drawn by mining activities. The Estrada Real road, used to explore the central region of Brazil and connect it to the coast of Rio de Janeiro, crossed its urban center. Until 2015, mining was the main economic activity, together with family and subsistence farming on the banks of its main river, Gualaxo do Norte – the highlight being the production of pout pepper jelly, which became a trademark of the region after a group of local women opened a cooperative.

The serious consequences of the dam collapse have unfolded projects focusing on the resettlement of the community from a collective perspective, in which the entire population who used to reside in the original location will have the option of moving to a new common space, preserving as much as possible, its original characteristics

Construction Works

With the advancement of infrastructure works and the construction of the first houses, the resettlement of Bento Rodrigues takes the shape of the district that was designed with its residents’ participation. Currently, the construction of 7 houses and 3 public facilities (school, service station and health center) is underway. 30 other houses are under construction. Paving of the access road and major roads is now complete. 

The interventions at the Municipal School and at the Health and Service Centers are on the brickwork stage while drainage, electricity, water, and sewage networks are ongoing. Approximately 140 projects were filed at the City Hall,these being permits for 100 houses and 3 public facilities. The need to build the village and restore its conditions and ways of life reinforces the importance of the resettlements for the Renova Foundation.