Innovation is a start, advocates Jaime Lerner at CICI2010

The Brazilian architect and former mayor of Curitiba amassed a large audience at the Conference of Cities. For Lerner, cities are no problem, they are solutions.

Architect Jaime Lerner won the audience on the first day of CICI2010 - International Conference on Innovative Cities - in Curitiba, to show that, in fact, cities are no problem, cities are the solution. The former governor of Paraná and former mayor of Curitiba was applauded at the end of the conference by making a passionate defense of the cities as the last refuge of solidarity.

Creator of innovative proposals and renowned throughout the world, Lerner says that any city of any country, of all sizes and even without the possibility of great investment, can improve the living conditions of the population in less than three years.

"While people understand that innovation is important for the city, it will require the continued commitment to innovation," Lerner said, noting that the primary responsibility for innovation and the changing pattern of culture are the children.

"About 20 years ago, we launched the idea of separating organic waste from the sustainable. We made lectures at all public schools in Curitiba. The effect was so good that children passed along the knowledge to parents, and today Curitiba is one of the cities where separation of garbage in the world is remarkable", noted.

One of the secrets to success, says the architect, is to begin. "It already represents 50% of the work. We cannot worry about having all the correct answers. We cannot be afraid of making mistakes," said.

He highlighted three challenges to the cities for the coming years: mobility, sustainability and social diversity. "Cities will need a good public transport, because they are the ones that originate 75% of emissions of polluting gases. We must invest in public transport quality." According to him, there is no better shift to be adopted and none should be discarded. All are good and complementary.