In today’s world protecting the environment and sustainability are very important issues. Cities and councils throughout the world are working hard to improve the current situation and sustainability will be an important factor in all town and city development in the future. One city which has always had the environment as its top priority is the Brazilian city of Curitiba. It is in the south of the country and is one of the most innovative cities in the world. It is so environmentally-friendly it is known as the ecological capital of Brazil. It is such a successful example of sustainable development that it is visited by delegates from all over the world. The people in Curitiba are very proud of their city and not only believe in a greener lifestyle but they really live it. Sustainable development is evident in all aspects of city life.
Residents have planted 1.6 million trees and over 70% of all waste is recycled. Curitiba has the highest rate of paper and glass recycling of anywhere in Brazil. Paper recycling in Curtiba saves over 1,000 trees a year. Like many cities in the world, Curitiba also faces many socio-economic problems but because it is such a unique and forward-thinking city the residents came up with a revolutionary idea (line 13) to help poor families and reduce waste at the same time. Each family sorts its rubbish and then it is weighed and ‘sold’ back to the city council in exchange for fruit and meat. This provides healthy food for those who can’t afford it and also encourages recycling and helps keep the city clean and tidy. Rubbish which cannot be recycled is burnt to make electricity.
The city’s public transport is also one of the greenest in the world. The bus service is cheap and efficient and saves millions of car journeys each year as you can use the buses to get anywhere in the city. There are over 70 kilometres of bus-only routes through the city. Roads have 4 lanes, 2 for cars and lorries and 2 for buses only. This means buses can run freely through the city without getting stuck in traffic jams. As a result millions of people use the bus every day rather than their cars. There $re also special bus lines for students, the disabled and tourists. The best thing, though, is that the 1,200 buses which make up the network run on biodiesel; that is fuel made from plants like soya. Reduced car traffic and low consumption of traditional fuels means that Curitiba is one of the least polluted cities in Brazil. Curitiba was one of the first cities in the world to have completely car free areas in the city centre. Also their bus stops have been carefully designed so that they are level with the buses. They are tube shaped and have ramps to provide easy access for everyone.
Curitiba has grown dramatically over the years. In 1950 300,000 people lived there, now the population is 1.8 million. However, even from the beginning, the needs of the city had to be balanced with the needs of the environment. Fortunately, this (line 31) has had great economic benefits for the economy. Income per capita is 60% higher than the national average. The architect who led the city’s growth in the 1960s was so popular he later became the city’s mayor. One big challenge that the city has faced throughout its development is flooding. The city has had to find ways to protect itself from flooding which has affected the city centre for many years. Curitiba wanted to find a solution which worked with nature. The solution they came up with involved creating a number of lakes in the city’s parks which could hold flood water. Also, no buildings were allowed to be built in areas which had a risk of flooding. One of the most beautiful buildings in the city is the university. It is called the free university of environment and was built using reclaimed eucalyptus poles. You can study a wide range of subjects there although of course it offers many different environmental courses, including bio-architecture.