The Rio de Janeiro City Council approved on Thursday (14) a bill that changes the city’s territorial division and creates the so-called southwest zone. The proposal, which was approved by 31 favorable votes, two opposites and four abstentions, goes to the sanction or veto of Mayor Eduardo Paes. 
The southwest zone will be formed by the neighborhoods: Anil, Barra da Tijuca, Camorim, City of God, Curicica, Parish, Blue Garden, Grumari, Itanhangá, Jacarepaguá, Joá, Praça Seca, Rio das Pedras, Bandeirantes Recreation, Taka, Taquara, Vargem Pequeno and Vila Valqueire.
The author of the project, councilor Dr. Gilberto (SD), explained that the idea of creating the southwest zone came considering that, in 2021, the House approved a law instituting the West Zone in the city, but left out of these 20 neighborhoods.
“The main objective of this project is to qualify the urban expansion and, especially, the spatial distribution of these neighborhoods that have been without any zoning. Nothing will be changed, the administrative regions will be the same, the neighborhoods will continue in AP4 [Áea de Planejamento]there will be no extra expenses, or not or not by the Executive Power, ”explained Dr. Gilberto.
Without increasing taxes
The councilman said that along with the president of the House, Carlo Caiado (PSD), made an appointment with the Municipal Finance Secretariat to verify that the rates of the Urban Property Tax (IPTU) could be high.
“We had an answer today by letter, ensuring that there will be no increase in the property tax, considering that we are not increasing administrative regions or AP4.”
Criticism
Councilman Pedro Duarte (Novo) said he is not convinced that the project will bring benefits to the municipality.
“I believe that the project fragments the city more. Our effort has to be more in the sense of integrating it more and not fragment. Outside we already have an official division of the city, which are the planning areas of the municipality,” he argues.
