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 significant role in disseminating BRT best practices and facilitating the implementation of high-quality systems worldwide. ITDP’s BRT Standard helps develop consensus around best practices and encourages 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. Investments in greenways, bike paths, and bike-sharing programs have made biking more attractive in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Belo Horizonte. ITDP collaborates with local governments to promote the expansion of these programs and offers technical assistance. Further improvements, such as reforming parking regulations in Rio de Janeiro, promoting transit-oriented development in São Paulo, and implementing ambitious national policy programs, have kept the country at the forefront of sustainable transportation.