Posted by giveawyboy on April 25, 2002 at 00:28:03:
The above picture shows children drawing pictures in the pedestrian mall in the center of Curitiba, Parana, Brasil. This weekly 'drawing' event recalls the way the people of Curitiba rose up against a proposed thoroughfare which would have run right through the heart of their town. When efforts were being made to create these roadways, the people resisted by lining their children up in the treets through the center of town. They gave them crayons and paper and instructed them to sit and draw. In this way, the plans for the road were foiled. Now it is commemorated regularly. For those of you who might have enjoyed the earlier posts on environmentalism, here is an article by Jaime Lerner, the former mayor of Curitiba who is now the current governor of Parana. Lerner was not only instrumental in that initial protest, but he also helped devise one of the best transportation systems in the world. Now he frequently aids in the design of cities in South America and Asia. Here, Lerner is talking about his views of city and humanity.