Curitiba's Sustainable Urban Strategies Overview

What innovative transport system did Curitiba introduce in the 1970s?

The Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system.

What percentage of travelers in Curitiba use the BRT system?

80% of travelers.

What type of buses does the BRT system in Curitiba use?

Triple section 'bendy' buses.

How many passengers does the BRT system carry daily?

2 million passengers.

What is a major feature of the BRT system regarding bus stops?

No resident of Curitiba lives more than 400 meters from a bus stop.

What are the environmental benefits of Curitiba's BRT system?

It reduces car use, cuts CO₂ emissions by 25%, and leads to less air pollution and noise.

What social benefits does the BRT system provide?

Affordable pricing, improved access to jobs, education, and healthcare.

Since when has Curitiba been recycling its waste?

Since the 1980s.

How is waste separated in Curitiba's waste management system?

Into organic and non-organic categories.

What happens to the recycled organic waste in Curitiba?

It goes to a plant where it is separated into plastics, paper, and metals.

What percentage of waste does Curitiba recycle?

Two thirds of its waste.

What is the 'green exchange' scheme in Curitiba?

A program where slum residents collect their rubbish in exchange for fruit and vegetables.

What are the environmental benefits of Curitiba's waste management system?

Reduced landfill use, resource conservation, pollution control, and a lower carbon footprint.

What social benefits arise from Curitiba's waste management strategies?

Improved nutrition, educational value, transport access, and job creation.

What flood prevention strategy did Curitiba implement?

Created green spaces and artificial lakes to absorb floodwater.

How many parks and green spaces were created in Curitiba to prevent flooding?

Over 28 parks and green spaces.

What is the main source of electricity in Curitiba?

Over 80% comes from renewable sources, mostly hydroelectric power.

What energy-efficient strategies are promoted in Curitiba?

Natural ventilation and lighting in buildings, and vertical growth in transport corridors.

What is the significance of integrated planning in Curitiba's sustainability strategies?

All strategies (transport, waste, energy, water) are interconnected.

What is one key evaluation point about Curitiba's sustainability strategies?

They are low-cost, scalable ideas that can be replicated in poorer cities.

How does Curitiba's approach to sustainability address social inequality?

By focusing on low-cost innovations that protect the environment and improve social conditions.

What educational initiatives does Curitiba promote regarding water conservation?

Public campaigns and school programs teach water conservation.

What is one benefit of rainwater harvesting in Curitiba?

It saves tremendous amounts of water for drinking and other infrastructural needs.

What is the role of public transport routes in Curitiba's urban planning?

They influence where housing and green spaces are built.

How does Curitiba's waste-for-food scheme benefit the community?

It improves nutrition and food access for urban poor residents.