The architect and urban planner Jaime Lerner – former Mayor of Curitiba for three terms and former Governor of Paraná for two terms – regards large urban center problems with a unique point of view.

Cyclists in Porto Alegre, Brazil, can now take advantage of two new bike racks located at the heart of this historic state capital. The Santander Cultural Center  sponsored the project at the Alfândega Square, with technical support from EMBARQ Brasil. In total, twelve “inverted-U” racks will provide space to accommodate 24 bicycles.

By Holger Dalkmann and Ashwin Prabhu — this post also appears in WRI Insights

The Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020 has been launched in more than 100 countries so far, with one goal: save five million lives from traffic deaths globally by 2020.

On April 15-16, Indian and international experts will discuss the current scenario of sustainable transport and urban planning in India, and the opportunities for the future of sustainable cities

In 2011, nearly 350 million people lived in Indian cities.  More than 300 million new residents will join them over the next few decades to become part of the new urban India. This population boom will stress an already-pressured urban infrastructure system, especially with regard to transportation.

Q1. How can we tackle the problem of rising obesity and physical inactivity through transport?

Lack of physical activity contributes to 3.2 million deaths annually, yet just 150 minutes of physical activity per week - about 20 minutes per day - can improve health and reduce the risk of disease.

Safer, cleaner and affordable transport for all is the focus of a partnership between UN-HABITAT and EMBARQ.