CURITIBA

Riding along the cities riverbank, stopping to eat wild fruit, hearing how people power made the “Cyclists Pocket Park”, watching the skaters crazy upside down flips. Get to know the soul of Curitiba.

 

This tour captures the vast range of the cities architectural delights: From one of Latin America’s most famous buildings MON (the museum designed by Brazils architectural maestro; Oscar Niemeyer), to buildings celebrating the rich diversity of the cities many immigrant roots. From IO’s cutting edge contemporary eco building, to the much loved “lighthouses of knowledge”. From one of the coolest spots in town; Praça do Gaúcho skate park, to magical places that most Curitibanos don’t even know about (like UTFPR’s Green Office, a discreet micro solar factory with a food garden on its roof). From the natural beauty and colour of the many city parks to street murals by world-renowned artists at the newest public square in the city.

 

For half a century Curitiba has been developed along ecological urban principles, but that doesn’t mean the job is done! A major push is happening right now to improve the cities infrastructure for the most sustainable form of urban mobility; the bicycle: In February, Curitiba hosted the third World bike forum (Fórum Mundial da Bicicleta, or #FMB3 for short) exploring the theme of “The Balanced city”. After that a series of dialogues between the city council and the public led to the creation of a fantastic new urban square; the “Cyclists Pocket Park”, which was both designed and built by Curitiba citizens in a series of “mutirão”, open collective weekend workdays. The latest victory has been the installation of the cities first traffic-calming scheme, along with 2 new bike lanes, the whole way along one of the cities main arteries Av. Sete de Setembro. And, to top it all off, the Bicicletaria Cultural, (a city centre bikeshop / art space) has won a host of awards this year for the brilliant work they do in making bike culture appealing to more and more people.

 

After doing this tour you will understand the unique genius of Curitiba and understand why it is called “The Greenest city on Earth”. Perhaps your actions will help us make our city even more ecological! Enjoy your ride.