URBim | for just and inclusive cities

Brasil tem se juntado ao grupo dos países que estão experimentando protestos massivos sobre diferentes temas públicos, tais como o aumento das taxas de transporte público e os elevados custos da infraestrutura esportiva da Copa do Mondo. Nas passadas semanas Rio e São Paulo, tem se tornado epicentros de protestos e encontros entre cidadãos e polícia, muitos deles violentos, preocupando o surgimento de maior violência no país. Leia mais o discutir.

Brazil has joined the group of countries that are experiencing massive protests concerning various public issues. In Brazil, these include the increased cost of public transportation, as well as concerns over the high costs of stadiums and World Cup infrastructure. Over the past few weeks, Rio and São Paulo have been the epicenters of clashes between protesters and the police. Some of these protests have been violent and have generated worry over a possible increase in violence throughout the country. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 07/01/2013 – 00:00

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by a virus and transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. It is currently one of the most common public health problems around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Dengue fever has four main types, in Brazil the most common ones are the classic dengue fever and the dengue hemorrhagic fever. The former is a light virus that with cold-like symptoms. The latter is a much more complex disease that can lead to nasal, urinary, and intestinal hemorrhages, compromised organs, and even death. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/24/2013 – 00:00

A dengue é uma doença infecciosa febril aguda causada por um vírus através do mosquito Aedes aegypti. Atualmente, a dengue é considerada um dos principais problemas de saúde pública de todo o mundo, especialmente nas áreas tropicais e subtropicais. A dengue tem quatro formas diferentes de se apresentar, sendo as mais frequentes no Brasil a dengue clássica e a febre hemorrágica da dengue. A dengue clássica é uma forma mais leve da doença e semelhante à gripe. A dengue hemorrágica é uma doença grave provocando hemorragias nasais, gengivais, urinárias, gastrointestinais ou uterinas. Leia mais o discutir.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by a virus and transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. It is currently one of the most common public health problems around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Dengue fever has four main types, in Brazil the most common ones are the classic dengue fever and the dengue hemorrhagic fever. The former is a light virus that with cold-like symptoms. The latter is a much more complex disease that can lead to nasal, urinary, and intestinal hemorrhages, compromised organs, and even death. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/24/2013 – 00:00

Anyone comparing countries can quickly conclude there isn’t a direct fixed relationship between economic growth and quality public services. Per capita income can be terrible while total national income is high. Economic growth can be high yet maintain widespread inequality. This is not a sustainable way to run a country, yet this is how things are and have always been done in Brazil, the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery and today the world’s 7th largest economy where 21% of the population is still under the poverty line. Brazil today is 106th in GDP per capita. We also rank among the worst in inequality, at number 17, although this is a significant improvement over the 1st place position we occupied two decades ago. Read more.

Submitted by Catalytic Communities — Thu, 06/20/2013 – 11:08

A city as dynamic as Rio de Janeiro requires a similarly dynamic and effective set of institutions to plan, build, supervise, and maintain local public infrastructure. From roads and viaducts to schools and health centers, the Municipal Secretariat of Public Works (Secretaria Municipal de Obras) is the institution in charge of overseeing construction, reform, and maintenance of all of Rio’s public infrastructure. For example, it is responsible for the functioning of 380,000 street lights, as well as prevention work against floods. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/17/2013 – 00:00

Uma cidade com o dinamismo do Rio de Janeiro precisa uma instituição igualmente dinâmica e eficiente responsável pelo planejamento, construção, supervisão e manutenção das obras públicas. A Secretaria Municipal de Obras é o órgão da Prefeitura encarregada de gerenciar novas construções, reformas e a manutenção da infraestrutura pública na cidade. Também é responsável pela adequada operação de 380 mil pontos de luz instalados e de gerenciar ações preventivas e corretivas contra as enchentes. Read more or join the discussion.

A city as dynamic as Rio de Janeiro requires a similarly dynamic and effective set of institutions to plan, build, supervise, and maintain local public infrastructure. From roads and viaducts to schools and health centers, the Municipal Secretariat of Public Works (Secretaria Municipal de Obras) is the institution in charge of overseeing construction, reform, and maintenance of all of Rio’s public infrastructure. For example, it is responsible for the functioning of 380,000 street lights, as well as prevention work against floods. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/17/2013 – 00:00

For over two decades, Brazil has been actively working to eradicate child labor, especially through legislation and by implementing effective interventions. A key step forward was the approval of the Child and Adolescent Statute in 1990, which sets out the rights of children and adolescents, and the Constitutional Amendment from 1998, which explicitly prohibits work by anyone who is 16 years or younger. Work conducted by a teenager aged 14 to 16 can only be training-related and should ensure the individual’s education, health, and overall wellbeing. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/10/2013 – 00:00

O Brasil vem trabalhando ativamente na erradicação do trabalho infantil, especialmente na formulação da legislação requerida e da execução de programas eficientes. Os primeiros avanços incluem a aprovação do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente de 1990 que resume os principais direitos desta população e da Emenda Constitucional de 1998 que aumenta a idade mínima para a entrada no mercado de trabalho. Com ela passou a ser proibido qualquer tipo de trabalho até os 16 anos. Entre 14 e 16 anos os jovens só podem exercer trabalhos remunerados na condição de aprendiz e sempre garantindo a proteção integral desta população, especialmente a frequência à escola. Leia mais ou discutir.

For over two decades, Brazil has been actively working to eradicate child labor, especially through legislation and by implementing effective interventions. A key step forward was the approval of the Child and Adolescent Statute in 1990, which sets out the rights of children and adolescents, and the Constitutional Amendment from 1998, which explicitly prohibits work by anyone who is 16 years or younger. Work conducted by a teenager aged 14 to 16 can only be training-related and should ensure the individual’s education, health, and overall wellbeing. Read more or join the discussion.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Mon, 06/10/2013 – 00:00

The second day of the New Cities Summit hosted several interesting and thought-provoking discussions. The day started with a panel on participation; highlights included Porto Alegre’s Mayor José Fortunati talking about the city’s renowned participative budgeting exercise which has been in place for 23 years. He attributed the city’s excellent scores on the Human Development Index to the great levels of active and sustained citizen participation in key development issues. Read more.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Thu, 06/06/2013 – 14:24

Influential policy makers, academics, innovators, entrepreneurs, and social and urban development practitioners are currently gathered in São Paulo for a two-day summit organized by the New Cities Foundation. The event focuses on the current challenges that cities face becoming more just and inclusive. Read more.

Submitted by Catalina Gomez — Wed, 06/05/2013 – 11:58