Curitiba, Brazil

The urban population in Curitiba, Brazil is rapidly growing. With this population growth came the development of squatter settlements.  The population is still increasing in these settlements. This makes Curitiba an example of the impact of extended urbanization in environmentally vulnerable areas. The development of informal settlements within its water supply watersheds has caused many issues. These settlements formed in areas where certain services could not always available, such as sewage systems, water, and transportation.  These areas are located in areas that are environmentally at-risk.
However, despite the problems the favelas, or slums, created for Curitiba, the city’s urban planning is striving to provide solutions to these problems. Since the location of these settlements is one of the main causes of the issues, the city designated tracts of land for these settlements in order to coincide with the rest of the city’s structure. With the change in city planning, inhabitants can be incorporated in the city’s infamous bus system.  The city’s goal is to better the city. This could be accomplished through the Integrated Social and Development Program for the Municipality of Curitiba. The goal is to better the overall quality of life of the inhabitants. The program aims to improve sanitation and housing in favelas, better the transportation system, and extend services to low-income areas. This city serves as a model for many cities because of their solutions to their city’s problems.