… today’s “smart” cities tend to be smaller, compact and more efficient: places like Amsterdam; Seattle; Singapore; Curitiba, Brazil; and Monterrey, Mexico. This is not an entirely new notion: Between the 14th and 18th centuries, modest-sized cities like Venice, Italy; Antwerp, Belgium; and Amsterdam nurtured modern capitalism and created canals and vibrant urban quarters that remain wonders even today.

Lo and Behold!

Not  only is Curitiba, Brazil a Jacksonville Sister city, it is also a Forbes Smartest city. And in  Joel Kotkin‘s opinion, what makes a city smart is savvy urban planning, attractive economies and strong infrastructure.

… Not all the world’s “smart” cities are trading giants like Hong Kong and Singapore. They also include well-run metropolises, such as the city of Curitiba. The south Brazilian city is regarded as an innovator in everything from bus-based rapid transit, used by some 70% of residents, and its balanced, diverse economic development strategy.

Curitiba may not have the canals of Venice, Antwerp or Brussels, but its urban transit system runs as smoothly as a gliding gondola.

… Curitiba’s bus system is composed of a hierarchical system of services. Minibuses routed through residential neighborhoods feed passengers to conventional buses on circumferential routes around the central city and on inter-district routes. The backbone of the system is composed of the Bus Rapid Transit, operating on the five main arteries leading into the center of the city like spokes on a wheel hub. (Courtesy of Kotkin’s provided link)

Curitiba's Bus Rapid Transit by Inhabitat/Emily

Curitiba’s  transportation system is integral part of its “diverse economic development strategy.”   According to a Curitiba Metropolitan Economic Strategy Report (Be forewarned –  the MESR is a 30-page PDF file and is not particularly light reading):

… The growth of the city was not haphazard; the cultivation of the environment and the careful planning and integration of public transportation played a large part in the decision of workers and corporations to move to the metropolitan area.

… Curitiba’s four industry networks (automotive manufacturing, communications software and information technology (IT), infrastructure, and tourism) have grown since the 1970s due to the ability of the metropolitan area to attract skilled workers and international employers. [Nissan, Renault, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, HSBC, Siemens, ExxonMobil, Electrolux and Kraft Foods].

THE ECOLOGICAL CAPITAL OF BRAZIL!

Beyond the current connotation of an energy-efficient   “Green City,”   Curitiba is literally green:  Twenty-eight city parks ~ 5,190 acres of linear parks along rivers and streams act as  buffers between flood-prone rivers and the city.

Curitiba’s trademark park, Botanical Garden  of Curitiba, is styled after French gardens ~ fountains, waterfalls and lakes, a massive art nouveau greenhouse inspired by the Crystal Palace in London. The Botanic Museum is a global research center for botanists of native flora from Atlantic Forests of eastern Brazil. The fourth largest herbarium in the country is located  on the grounds, as well as campus of Federal University of Paraná. (Curitiba is the capitol city of the Paraná, Brazil).

Opera de Arame

Another of Curitiba’s impressive parks is  Parque das Pedreiras (Quarry Park) and home the 2,600-seat Ópera de Arame (The Wire Opera) – The structure is built on three-levels around an old quarry, complete with waterfall and carp pond.

And this completes this post’s savvy tour of Curitiba, Brazil.

p.s.  Go there and back again to Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance, June 2009 - Based on the minutes of one BJA meeting  updating status on educational and business ties with Curitiba).

The $50,000 $55,000 Workforce Florida grant was awarded to the Alliance in February. JAXPORT’s manager of community outreach and environmental advocacy, Joanne Kazmierski, updated current status:

Curitiba~

We will train 100 people representing corporations, small businesses and entrepreneurs in preparation for business and cultural relations with Curitaba. The classes will be held at University of North Florida.   The Alliance will hire  ISD [Instructional Systems Design] curriculum writers, keeping the cost between $10,000-$20,000. Lake City Community College will assist in the process. This will be a 20-hour course. There will be focus-group meetings with local corporations to determine educational needs  for classes.  Small-business classes  start this fall – dates are to be determined. Once classes are over,  Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance members will network with the class participants. Questions about training to be addressed to Joshua Rodriggs, manager of Latin American and Intermodal sales, or Joanne Kazmierski.

A job-posting forum will be developed on the Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance Web site  for members-only to post  resumes and/or job descriptions to promote business between members and non-members in need of qualified a Brazilian workforce.

Rodriggs reported status of the first Brazilian trade mission meeting with Lad Daniels, president of First Coast Manufacturers Association. The power- point presentation for the trade mission has  been presented to Mayor Peyton, which he approved. Daniels is working with Mayor Peyton’s office and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce to coordinate  dates  for the trip -  possibly October.

In closing, the Alliance currently has  a $3,000  bank account. Over $800  will be used to finalize donations to Brazil.

Rodriggs and  Kasmierski will speak to Mayo Clinic about sending one of  Mayo Clinic’s physicians to Brazil with this donation money for pro bono surgeries on children in need.

JULY 16TH — MARK SZAKONYI HAS AN UPDATE :

The head of a trade group devoted to stimulating trade between Jacksonville and Brazil has left the Jacksonville Port Authority to focus on the organization.

Joshua Rodriggs said he will now be able to devote more time developing business and trade opportunities through Jacksonville and the booming South American country through the Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida.

The alliance has ramped up its efforts in recent months. The alliance helped host the signing of a sister cities agreement with Jacksonville and Curitiba, Brazil. The group was also recently awarded a $55,000 grant from Workforce Florida.

The alliance has partnered with the Florida Banner Center for Logistics and Distribution, University of North Florida and Florida State College to develop curriculum and train 100 businesses in 2010. The group has also gained financial support from major companies, including Holland & Knight LLC, CSX Corp., Mayo Clinic and ICS Logistics Inc.

To find out more about the alliance’s entrepreneurship. business training and networking events, and trade missions, contact Rodriggs at (904) 703-2200 or at jrbrjax@gmail.com

The alliance’s annual meeting will be held 11:30 to 1 p.m. Aug 14 at Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Division office, 3rd Floor Hadlow Board Room. RSVP your attendance to info@braziljacksonville.org

Categories: Education

Companies: Holland & Knight, University of North Florida, Florida Banner Center, Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance, Jacksonville Port Authority, CSX Corp., Mayo Clinic and ICS Logistics Inc., Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce