Curitiba, Brazil Curitiba pioneered sustainable urban planning decades before “eco-city” became a trend, proving innovation thrives even in the Global South. Its revolutionary Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system—launched in the 1970s—moves 2 million people daily with efficiency rivaling subways, reducing car use and emissions. Over 50 m² of green space per resident makes it one of the world’s greenest cities by area. Recycling programs are deeply embedded: citizens exchange trash for bus tickets or food, achieving 70%+ diversion rates. Flood-prone areas were transformed into linear parks, combining recreation and stormwater management. Strict zoning preserves the city’s “green lung”—a vast protected forest. Affordable housing integrates with transit corridors, preventing sprawl. Urban gardens feed communities, and environmental education starts in schools. Though Brazil faces national environmental crises, Curitiba remains a beacon—showing that smart, low-cost, people-centered design can create resilient, livable cities without massive budgets or high-tech gimmicks.
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