The remarkable journey of Curitiba, the capital of the state of Paraná and the biggest city in southern Brazil – from neglected wasteland to a model of urban sustainability through the transformation of green spaces – is a story that began with pivotal turning points in the 1960s and 1970s.

The city’s progress is marked by a series of key initiatives and innovative projects focused on creating new green spaces, improving public transportation, and engaging the community. This regeneration can offer inspiration to other cities to prioritize environmental stewardship and public greenery in urban planning and development.

Meeting a Historical Environmental Challenge

Environmental degradation accelerated in the early 20th century when Curitiba experienced extensive deforestation due to agricultural expansion and urban development. This led to significant issues with soil erosion and water pollution in local rivers. Allied to this, poor land management and a lack of infrastructure exacerbated flooding, which further damaged property and existing infrastructure while posing health risks.

Rapid urbanization soon followed with a population boom in Curitiba in the 1950s. Migrants from rural areas, and further afield across Brazil, moved to the city seeking better economic opportunities. The steady influx of people led to unplanned urban sprawl, with informal settlements (favelas) springing up without adequate infrastructure, sanitation, or services.

Social inequality became an even bigger issue with many new residents living in precarious conditions with limited access to basic services such as clean water and healthcare. The city’s rapid growth widened economic disparities, as the urban poor often lacked access to the opportunities and amenities available to the city’s wealthier residents.

By the late 1960s something needed to change. Green spaces transformation was set to become a cornerstone of Curitiba’s sustainable development strategy.

The Green Spaces Movement

When Jaime Lerner, an architect and urban planner, was elected mayor of Curitiba in 1971 the green spaces movement gathered traction. The Curitiba Master Plan of 1968 provided a foundation to address urban sprawl, traffic congestion and environmental concerns. Lerner’s tenure then used that platform to help shape a comprehensive vision for Curitiba’s development, prioritizing sustainability and quality of life.

Curitiba’s Green Spaces Movement was driven by Lerner’s visionary leadership across three terms of mayoral office up to 1992. Innovative policies, such as the Green Exchange Program, were introduced to drive citizen engagement.

Taking place every 15 days at many different trading sites across the city, every four kilograms of recyclables or two liters of plant or animal- based oil could be traded for one kilogram of fruits and vegetables. In later years the scheme allowed citizens to exchange recyclables for transport passes and even laptops.

Curitiba’s success is also attributed to active community engagement. The city government involved residents in the planning process, encouraging public participation in environmental initiatives fostering a sense of ownership. Grassroots activism was also encouraged as educational programs and campaigns promoted awareness about sustainability and the importance of green spaces such as parks and recreational areas.

Park Redevelopment & Rehabilitation

The development of green spaces was among the most significant aspects of Curitiba’s transformation. The city turned to its natural resources, creating parks, gardens, and green areas that served multiple purposes:

• Flood Control: Parks and green spaces were designed to serve as floodplains, effectively managing the city’s water runoff. Notable examples include the Barigui Park, which acts as a natural reservoir during heavy rains. Interconnected with bike paths and walking trails, it is easily accessible for non-motorized transportation.
• Recreational Areas: These green spaces provided residents with areas for leisure and recreation, in line with Lerner’s original goal of improving the overall quality of life for the city’s residents. For example, the Tanguá Park, which covers 42,000 m2, was opened in 1996 after original plans for an industrial waste recycling plant were scrapped and the site was repurposed. Within the park are two quarries linked by a 45m long tunnel as well as the Poty Lazzarotto garden. There is also a running track, cycle track and lookout.
• Environmental  Restoration  &  Biodiversity: The  creation  of parks and ecological green belts, by restoring once degraded and polluted land, helped preserve local flora and fauna, enhancing urban biodiversity further with the opening of the Botanical Garden of Curitiba in 1991.

Integrated Urban Planning & Design

The Global Platform for Sustainable Cities defines the principles of integrated urban planning and design: “It seeks to enable urban stakeholders in realizing, analyzing and tackling the implications of global agendas in their specific context and according to their needs. Offering a process-oriented approach, its corresponding steps and tools are meant to be easily integrated into typical planning cycles.”

Mixed land use, compact development, and transit-oriented design (allowing for easily accessible transportation) are features of Curitiba’s green spaces transformation that adhere to these principles. As we have seen with its park redevelopment, in enhancing quality of life for its people the city has created spaces for new connections that knit the urban fabric and green spaces together.

Socioeconomic & Health Benefits

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends people reside within 300 meters of green space. Today, Curitiba’s green areas total 60 square meters (about 646 feet) per inhabitant, five times more than the minimum of 12 (129 feet) recommended by the WHO. In the 1980s, this led to the city being known internationally, and recognized by the United Nations, as the Ecological Capital of the world.

Curitiba’s green spaces have been proven to improve air quality, reduce the urban heat ‘island effect’ and enhance the mental well-being of inhabitants. The transformation of green spaces not only improved environmental conditions but also brought economic and social benefits. The development of parks and recreational areas attracted tourism, boosted local businesses, created jobs and the improved urban environment enhanced property values.

Meanwhile, the growing green infrastructure has provided platforms for greater social inclusion, driving community cohesion and offering equitable access to nature for residents of all ages and backgrounds.

Allied to this, programs were introduced to improve living conditions in informal settlements, including housing projects, education initiatives, healthcare services and better transportation.

Green Mobility & Active Transportation

A holistic plan for green mobility and active transportation laid the groundwork for sustainable urban development featuring pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes. Like Barigui Park, Tanguá Park is linked to a network of green corridors, providing scenic routes for cyclists and pedestrians.

Japan Square, a smaller, themed park, is another part of the city’s green corridor network, offering an alternative serene space within the urban environment while still connected by pedestrian and cycling paths. 

The environmental benefits of urban heat reduction, improved air quality and the management of stormwater runoff are combined with accessibility and connectivity for the city’s residents via intentionally designed paths and trails linking different parts of Curitiba.

We can see that the Curitiba Master Plan had environmental goals and also focused on enhancing public transportation.

Introduced in the 1970s, Curitiba’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system became a model for cities worldwide for efficient, affordable, and sustainable public transportation. Dedicated bus lanes, affordable fares, and frequent service reduced traffic congestion and pollution. The BRT system, in line with the tenets of integrated urban planning, follows the city’s green spaces, with many bus stops located near parks and recreational areas. The Green Line (Linha Verde) is a major urban artery integrating the BRT with green spaces, bicycle paths, and pedestrian areas. It exemplifies the multimodal transportation approach.

With the new bus transit scheme, public use grew steadily, as buses became both the cheapest and fastest mode of transport encouraging active mobility and reducing car dependency. However, in the late 1980s, Lerner and his planners observed that the inflow and outflow of passengers was dragging the speed of the bus at each station.

Three innovations followed the BRT: a new system of raised platforms (the futuristic ‘tube’ station system for which Curitiba has grown famous) that allow passengers to move straight from the station into the bus without climbing stairs; longer buses to increase fleet capacity; and a pre-payment system so that drivers don’t have to issue tickets and collect money during trips.

Challenges & Lessons Learned

Despite its successes, Curitiba continues to face challenges related to ongoing urban growth, including maintaining infrastructure and services to meet the needs of a growing population. Addressing persistent social inequalities remains a priority, with ongoing efforts needed to ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources. A 2021 paper published in the journal ‘Urbe’ determined that 46 per cent of Curitiba’s population still experience precarious conditions, while only 25 per cent have ‘full access’ to urban amenities.

However, Curitiba’s integrative systems and innovative initiatives will continue to inspire other cities across the globe. The city has implemented various policies and practices to ensure long-term sustainability by establishing one of the world’s most successful recycling programs, significantly reducing waste and promoting environmental awareness. 

Strict zoning laws and regulations have prevented urban sprawl and protected newly created green spaces from encroachment. Ongoing efforts to promote energy-efficient buildings and renewable energy sources further contribute to the city’s sustainability goals.

Curitiba’s achievements in urban sustainability have received international recognition with the city winning numerous awards serving as a model for urban planners worldwide. Through integrated planning and community involvement Curitiba has strived to create a resilient and vibrant urban environment. 

It’s a transformation that not only improved the quality of life for its residents but also set a benchmark for sustainable urban development that will continue to inspire urban planners and policymakers globally.