Improving Urban Mobility: A Project for Brazil

October 14 - 17, 2015

About Brazil

Brazil has an urban population of over 160 million people with an urbanization rate of 84%. In 2013, Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff proposed a referendum to invest $25 billion into public transportation to improve urban mobility [1]. With these funds, the National Policy on Urban Mobility was created which sets guidelines and tools to develop sustainable urban mobility plans [3]. With the urban growth rate at an all time high, it is imperative for Brazil to make strides towards mobility improvement. Only 20% of cities in Brazil integrate modern technology into their transportation infrastructure such as traffic lights, electronic signs and surveillance cameras [2]. The government is working towards improving public transportation and getting people to actually use it by increasing the cost of commuting by car [3]. Setting up tolls is expected to reduce congestion by 10%. With planning, public policies, new technologies and ways to sustain the environment Brazil will improve their urban mobility.

About the Program

The IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. Over the last 70 years, the IVLP has developed into the premier professional exchange program in the U.S. and brings over 200 emerging leaders to Jacksonville every year.

[1] http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-23041396

[2] http://www.oecd.org/brazil/innovation-urban-mobility-brazil.htm

[3] http://www.wrirosscities.org/news/brazilian-cities-seek-new-paths-sustainable-urban-mobility-plans