Jaime Lerner Quotes

Powerful Jaime Lerner for Daily Growth

About Jaime Lerner

Jaime Lerner (1935-2021) was a renowned Brazilian architect, urbanist, politician, and writer who significantly shaped the landscape of his native country and influenced global urban planning. Born on August 7, 1935, in Curitiba, Paraná, Lerner demonstrated an early interest in art, design, and architecture. His academic journey began at the School of Architecture and Urbanism (FAU) at the University of São Paulo, where he graduated in 1960. However, his most formative years were spent studying in Europe, particularly at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. There, Lerner was exposed to avant-garde ideas that would later influence his work. Returning to Brazil in 1959, Lerner's career took off when he was appointed as Curitiba's Urban Planning Secretary. This role allowed him to implement his innovative urban planning ideas, such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which became a blueprint for sustainable city transportation worldwide. Lerner also served as the Mayor of Curitiba (1971-1973 and 1989-1990), Governor of Paraná (1987-1991), and Minister of Cities in President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration (2005-2006). Throughout these roles, he continued to advocate for sustainable urban development. As a writer, Lerner published several books on urbanism, architecture, and politics, including "Urban Acupuncture" (1984) and "The City of Tomorrow" (1995). His works emphasized the importance of human-centered cities that promote environmental sustainability, social equality, and economic development. Jaime Lerner's legacy extends beyond Brazil, as his ideas on urban planning continue to inspire city planners worldwide. His innovative approach to sustainable urban development has earned him numerous awards, including the Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research in 1992. Despite his passing in 2021, Lerner's influence on modern urbanism remains significant and enduring.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Architecture is the will of a society, materialized."

This quote by Jaime Lerner suggests that architecture, or built environments, are physical manifestations of the values, beliefs, and collective identity of a society. In other words, through architecture, we can observe and understand the culture, aspirations, and social structure of a particular group. Architecture is not just about aesthetics or functionality; it carries deeper meanings that reflect societal norms, traditions, and future vision. It's an expression of a society's will – its collective desires and ambitions – materialized in space and form.


"Urban space must be designed for people, not cars."

This quote emphasizes a design philosophy that prioritizes human needs and experiences over those of automobiles within urban spaces. By focusing on creating cities that cater to pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users, we can foster safer, more livable, and sustainable communities where social interaction, community building, and environmental concerns take center stage. It advocates for city planning that puts people at the heart of its design, promoting a more equitable, inclusive, and enjoyable urban environment for all.


"A city's greatness is in its ability to re-invent itself."

The quote emphasizes that a city's true significance lies in its capacity for renewal, change, and adaptation over time. A thriving city is not static but dynamic, constantly reinventing itself through growth, innovation, and improvement to remain relevant, sustainable, and vital to its residents and the world at large. This ability to adapt reflects resilience, creativity, and forward-thinking spirit - key characteristics of a great city.


"The future is made by those who dare to imagine it."

This quote emphasizes the power of imagination in shaping our future. It suggests that the future, unlike a predestined path, is something we collectively create through our audacious thoughts and bold ideas. In other words, the people who dare to envision new possibilities for the world are the ones who ultimately influence its development. Therefore, it encourages us to think creatively and fearlessly about our aspirations, as these visions have the potential to become our reality.


"In urban planning, the most important thing is to create a place where people want to live, not just to exist."

This quote emphasizes the importance of designing cities that foster a sense of community and quality of life rather than mere survival. By prioritizing creating desirable living spaces, urban planners encourage active participation in public life, promoting social interaction, and improving overall well-being for city dwellers. The goal is not just to accommodate people within an urban setting, but to inspire them to enjoy and thrive within it.


A system of bus rapid transit is not only dedicated lanes. You have to have really good boarding conditions - that means paying before entering the bus and boarding at the same level. And at the same time having a good schedule and frequency.

- Jaime Lerner

Bus, Dedicated, Means, Transit

Sometimes the media gives us the impression that we are terminal patients, because of problems of global warmth or the ozone layer. And the people, they don't understand that they can could change this situation for the better if they could act locally in a city.

- Jaime Lerner

City, Sometimes, Global, Ozone

Curitiba is not a paradise. We have all the problems that most Latin American cities have. We have slums. We have the same difficulties, but the big difference is the respect given by people due to the quality of the services which are provided.

- Jaime Lerner

American, Big, Provided, Slums

If you want creativity, take a zero off your budget. If you want sustainability, take off two zeros.

- Jaime Lerner

Want, Zero, Take, Budget

If you provide good alternatives for public transport, you won't have traffic problems.

- Jaime Lerner

Transport, Provide, Public, Traffic

I have realized after all these years that a city that has a good quality of life attracts jobs. People don't want to invest in places if there is no quality of life.

- Jaime Lerner

City, Want, Jobs, Attracts

A city grows like an organism. It is a structure of living and working together a mix of functions.

- Jaime Lerner

Living, Grows, Organism, Mix

Garbage removal is a citizen responsibility.

- Jaime Lerner

Responsibility, Citizen, Removal

I always run into these Ph.D.s. They write and write and write about sustainable development. Then these guys ask me, 'But, how do you do it?' They are scared to death to do anything.

- Jaime Lerner

Death, Development, Always, Scared

A lot of people assume that the expensive ideas are the most effective ones, but that is simply not true.

- Jaime Lerner

Effective, Most, Lot, Assume

The secret to the city is integration. Every area of the city should combine work, leisure and culture. Separate these functions and parts of the city die.

- Jaime Lerner

Die, Separate, Area, Combine

There is little in the architecture of a city that is more beautifully designed than a tree.

- Jaime Lerner

City, More, Than, Designed

We can't have landfills forever, and we can't ask others to accept our trash.

- Jaime Lerner

Forever, Ask, Our, Trash

Many cities end up putting off things because they want to understand everything. They don't understand that innovating is about starting. Taking care of a city is a process that you start, and then give the population space to respond.

- Jaime Lerner

City, About, Putting, Starting

There is no place in a city that can't be better. There is no toad that can't be a princess, no frog that can't become a prince.

- Jaime Lerner

City, Better, Frog, Toad

Bureaucracy is like a fungus that contaminates everything.

- Jaime Lerner

Everything, Like, Fungus, Bureaucracy

A city is like a family portrait - you don't tear it up if you don't like your uncle's nose.

- Jaime Lerner

City, Nose, Tear, Portrait

After working in cities for nearly 40 years, I am telling you that every city can improve its quality of life in less than three years, no matter the scale or the financial conditions.

- Jaime Lerner

City, Telling, Cities, Conditions

The design of a city is like a strange archeology.

- Jaime Lerner

City, Design, Like, Archeology

There are three major issues now that are becoming important, not only for cities, but for all mankind: Mobility, sustainability - which is linked to mobility - and social diversity.

- Jaime Lerner

Mobility, Becoming, Which, Linked

Every city has to deal with the problem of cars and public transport.

- Jaime Lerner

Problem, Deal, Public, Transport

A car is like a mother-in-law - if you let it, it will rule your life.

- Jaime Lerner

Car, Will, Like, Mother-In-Law

I always try to say, 'If you want to help the environment, try to do just two things. One, use less of your car. Second, separate your garbage.'

- Jaime Lerner

Always, Use, Separate, Garbage

Brazil will change when its cities change.

- Jaime Lerner

Change, Will, Cities, Brazil

Cities are not problems. They are solutions.

- Jaime Lerner

Problems, Cities, Solutions

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