SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL DESTINATIONS
JOÃO PESSOA
João Pessoa is the capital of the state of Paraíba in Brazil and also known as the city where the sun rises first, as it is the easternmost city in the Americas. The city is considered "the second greenest in the world", with more than 7 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi) of forested land, second only to Paris, France. It gained this distinction in 1992 after a survey of urban centres in various countries carried out by the United Nations (source: Embassy of Brazil in the UK). The city is characterized by the juxtaposition of tropical beaches, modern architecture, and historic buildings from colonial periods.
Along with its classification as the second greenest city in the world, João Pessoa was also considered, by the international organization “Living”, as one of the best cities in the world to retire, and nevertheless presents one of the best qualities of life in the northeast of Brazil. Owning two large reserves of the Atlantic Forest, the city administration have to think in ways of promoting the urban and economic development of the capital, in the same time they develop the environmental protection tools, in order to keep the city’s identity. The development discussions and its consequences have been a constant in all spheres of society. The issues related to sustainable development are feasible, but will produce results only when they cease to be theory or principles and become practices through public and social policies, which occurs from an awareness. This program aims to show how this process is being unrolled in the city of João Pessoa.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the second-largest city in Brazil and has one of the highest GPD of the country. Part of the metropolis has been designated as a World Heritage Site, named "Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea", by UNESCO on 1 July 2012 as a Cultural Landscape. With an amazing view and one of the richest cultural agenda of Brazil, Rio is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere and is known for its natural settings, Carnival, samba, bossa nova, and balneario beaches.
Owning an incredible combination of natural landscapes with urban scenery of concrete, Rio is an example of city that face challenges every day in order to harmonize the population increase with the protection of its natural and historical heritage. To keep intact the identity of this continually growing city’, several projects focused in promoting a sustainable development are being created.
The most interesting challenge the city faces is, probably, the emergence of a great number of favelas. In the last decades, they have grown so much, that, in fact, have now become one of Rios characteristic. City planners are currently working to develop solutions capable of adapting the “Marvelous City” to these relatively new unplanned and complexes spaces. Our sustainability program in Rio de Janeiro focuses in putting the participants in touch with all the actors involved in this process.
CURITIBA
Curitiba is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Paraná. The city's population numbered approximately 1,879,355 people as of 2015, making it the eighth most populous city in the country, and the largest in Brazil's South Region. The city is an important cultural, political, and economic centre in Latin America and it has long garnered praise for being one of the world’s best models of urban planning. The big expansion of Curitiba occurred after the 1950s, with innovative urban planning that changed the population size from some hundreds of thousands to more than a million people.
As previously said, Curitiba is taken as a model of sustainable city national and internationally. In 2010, the metropolis was awarded with the Global Sustainable City Award, given to cities and municipalities that excel in sustainable urban development. According to US magazine Reader's Digest, Curitiba is the best "Brazilian Big City" in which to live. It’s easier to get around Curitiba than any other large city in Brazil. The city has also taken innovative approaches to urban ills such as homelessness, pollution and poverty. Today, the city ensures a quality of life unparalleled in Brazil. With its abundant green spaces, sophisticated population and well-heeled infrastructure, Curitiba is a must see for all those willing to see sustainable urban plans in action.