Jaime Lerner, Brazilian politician and true leader in town planning and sustainability is a logical and thoughtful trailblazer from whom politicians of today could learn a thing or two. Originally an architect, since the 1970's Lerner has been the driving force behind the city of Curitiba in Brazil - now a beacon of livability and sustainability in South America. Jaime Lerner reminds me of a town's take on a "Sustainable Creative Director" rather than a mayor or town planner...
Upon becoming mayor of Curitiba he took to solving problems such as unserviceable and geographically isolated slums that were too narrow for municipal waste removal. His solution: a program that traded bags of groceries and transit passes for bags of trash - sublime!
Another early initiative was the implementation of "municipal sheep" at a time when park lands were being developed in the city to control floodplain issues. Lacking in the necessary wealth and resources to obtain farming equipment like tractors, town sheep were implemented to graze new parkland areas and to sweeten an already great policy their wool was used to fund children's programs and initiatives. It sounds like something from a whimsical children's story but it is decisions like this that have shaped Curitiba into the admirable city it is today.
Such bold and unorthodox solutions are both inspirational and logical at the same time, reading about Lerner, there is a certain aspect of practicality, humour and true optimism (he believes any city in the world can be improved in 3 years with the right type of design and responsibility) to this man that just makes plain and simple sense. A creative and independent style of policy making that the modern world is needing more of. In an SBS special "This is Brazil" hosted by Australian/Brazilian Fernanda de Paula, Lerner - in true Jaime Lerner style - provides viewers with his tips for building a greener city, things we can all do without the need of policy:
Upon becoming mayor of Curitiba he took to solving problems such as unserviceable and geographically isolated slums that were too narrow for municipal waste removal. His solution: a program that traded bags of groceries and transit passes for bags of trash - sublime!
METRONIZING THE BUS: Modest initiatives over large scale expensive plans - this is Lerner's answer to "Grand Central" style terminals. Why create a whole underground structure when this simple tube and bus system works in the same way? The goal was not only to mimic a subway with a fraction of the costs but to create a reliable, fast and plentiful service. One bus every minute or so! Read more on Lerner's attitude towards planning and transport here.
Such bold and unorthodox solutions are both inspirational and logical at the same time, reading about Lerner, there is a certain aspect of practicality, humour and true optimism (he believes any city in the world can be improved in 3 years with the right type of design and responsibility) to this man that just makes plain and simple sense. A creative and independent style of policy making that the modern world is needing more of. In an SBS special "This is Brazil" hosted by Australian/Brazilian Fernanda de Paula, Lerner - in true Jaime Lerner style - provides viewers with his tips for building a greener city, things we can all do without the need of policy:
Jaime Lerner's Recipe for a Greener city (no official policy changes even necessary)
1) Use your car less, the car is going to be the cigarette of the future.
2) Separate your garbage.
3) Live closer to your work or work closer to your home (whatever works for you!)
Extra added words of wisdom: Sustainability is an equation between what you waste and what you save.
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