A Convenient Truth!

If the syllabus didn't explain it well enough, we're beginning to understand (and adjust) to the  amount of exposure we'll receive to controversial documentaries. Professor Segal held true to his word this week by showing the first hopeful film, one fit with an inspiring model for cities worldwide. A Convenient Truth (Written and directed by Giovanni Vaz Del Bello and produced by Maria Terezinha Vaz) challenged the norm for urban design by making an example of the city of Curitiba, Brazil - a municipality capable of transporting 2 million people every day in a cost effective and sustainable manor. 

They have employed the trinary road design, one which caters to rapid bus transport. The system employs a high speed bus lane bordered by one way lanes for auto traffic with additional one way express roads just a block away on either side; three lanes in width. The image to the right shows the Biarticulated buses used for the express route, twenty-five metres long and equipped with 5 doors, capable of transporting 270 passengers at a time! Coupled with their pay before you board tube stations, they have quickly become the transport method of choice for commuters of all kinds, just as much for those with or without a personal car. Adding to the appeal is the pay once go anywhere system, no matter the distance or transfer, even between different routes and/or lines! 
We as a group agree that if Lee County were to adopt a system such as the one proposed by professor Segal, with one lane of traffic on each major roadway being sectioned off for busses with unilimited daily (or peak) transfers, we'd all be inclined to use public transportation. I, Jonathon, have used Lee County public transportation maybe half a dozen times in the 13 years I've been here, Jessica and Jason, never. 
A Convenient Truth also documented other major areas of concern such as recycling and waste management, housing, and parks and natural areas.  

Public Recycling Bins! From left to right: Paper, Plastic,
Metal, Organic (compost!) and Glass.

Their impressive recycling system was implemented by the hands of Nicolau Kluppel, a civil engineer, and the mayor himself. Kluppel spoke in the documentary of having been part of a team of 4 guys who volunteered their personal time to construct a recycling/sorting center by reusing old machines and conveyors from local factories. Additionally, having seen so many old computers run through their facility he decided to not just recycle them for resale, but for every 15 computers processed one was rebuilt for use by the employees, all low income citizens, recovering addicts or "problem people". This helped teach them practical skills which they could use to their advantage in moving up in the workforce. A skill that they would most likely never have been exposed to otherwise. 
It's terrible, really, what a foreign idea it is for us to imagine politicians and citizens coming together and physically laboring for a good cause. We'd be tickled to see the same out of the suits and ties of this country. Perhaps we'd then receive the sort of recognition as Coritiba; a United Nations Environmental Award (UNEP) in 1990 (the highest available), the Worldwatch Institute Prize in 1991 and the CITIES Award for Excellence in 2002.

Coritiba has also done a magnificent job of relocating weathered and flood prone housing areas to government assisted communities, leaving parks in their place. Studies showed city planners that it would be 5 times cheaper to relocate these families and homes than it would be to construct a concrete canal for water diversion!
Although us Ninja Sharks haven't ever attended a city council meeting nor participated in flood planning, we also have never heard of  such a concept in the US. We all agreed that Lee County could use a great deal of help in designing people friendly parks and recreation spaces. While we have many preserves and beaches, they seem geared towards lone rangers and vacationers, respectively. We want to know what has happened to good old Frisbee and picnics!? Like Professor Segal suggested, our voice can have more of an impact than we may initially imagine. Attending local council and/or community meetings could prove to the old codgers that there's a youthful presence that wishes to preserve the natural beauty in life and the fun that coincides. We have been shown the remarkable transformation that can transpire from a little determination and dirty work, and after last weeks video, that's just what we needed. Every week provokes a new thought in us all, and this one really hit home.