Brazil

Brazilian cities have long been leaders in the field of urban transit. As one of the world’s most urbanized regions, Brazil has developed innovative solutions to issues of public transportation, sustainable growth, and urban form.

Since the idea was first developed in Curitiba in 1974, Bus Rapid Transit has spread across the region and the globe. As the concept has expanded to cities such as Quito, Buenos Aires and Bogota, BRT has become more developed and sophisticated. ITDP has played a large role in the dissemination of BRT best practices and facilitated the implementation of high quality systems around the world. ITDP’s BRT Standard and Rankings help develop consensus around best practices and encourage new corridors to meet these standards in their design and implementation.

Biking for recreation and transportation, once uncommon due to safety concerns and lack of infrastructure, has become increasingly popular throughout the country. Programs such as Bicicletadas have allowed bikers to reclaim the streets and gain comfort biking through the city. Investments in greenways, bike paths, and bike sharing programs have made biking more attractive in cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Belo Horizonte. ITDP works with local governments to encourage the expansion of these programs and provide technical assistance.

Further improvements, such as reforming parking regulations in Rio de Janeiro, transit oriented development in São Paulo, and ambitious national policy programs have kept the country at the forefront of the field for sustainable transportation.