GOVERNMENT

In 1972, 33 year old architect, Jaime Lerner, was elected as Mayor of the city. Lerner had been against the Agache Plan since his years in College. When he became Mayor Lerner decided to implement the Plano Director by pedestrianizing the Curitiba's Main Street. This project began in secrecy and was completed in 72 hours with no publicity.  When the car addicts realized this action, they wanted to re-conquer the territory by force, but had to face an immense group of children that were painting a long strip of paper on the new pedestrianized Main Street.

Two years later 74 express buses enter in operation, public massive transportation, an essential accompaniment to the pedestrian.