Jaime Lerner, visionary urban planner from Brazil and pioneer of globally successful public transport ideas, is the winner of the first Leadership in Transport Award, created by the 998 International Transport Forum, at the OECD, an intergovernmental organisation for the transport sector that comprises 52 member countries. The award was conceived to honour public figures that have, through exceptional vision and leadership, made a lasting positive impact, resulting in major advances for transport.
“There are very few people who fit this description as well as Jaime Lerner,” said Jack Short, secretary general of the International Transport Forum, announcing the decision in Paris yesterday. “In an extraordinary career spanning many decades, Jaime Lerner, through his ideas and work, has made a real difference in the lives of people: as an architect and legendary urban planner, as a mayor of the city of Curitiba, as governor of the State of Paraná, and not least as a teacher and visionary whose ideas have inspired so many others around the globe.”
Short added: “While his achievements reach far beyond the confines of transport, Jaime Lerner has made a particularly profound and lasting contribution in this area. His brainchild, the Curitiba Bus Rapid Transit system, was a path-breaking innovation in public transport.
“It has been emulated all over the world and has provided millions of people with access to affordable, efficient transport services - and the world that this can open up: better access to education, jobs, leisure activities, family and friends.
“Not least, it has helped our big cities to become more sustainable and liveable communities. By offering affordable alternatives to car travel, it has reduced congestion and improved air quality. The International Transport Forum is proud to award the first Leadership in Transport Award to Jaime Lerner for his truly outstanding achievements.”
The International Transport Forum has also announced its 2011 Transport Achievement Award winner.
476 Arriva Denmark, part of the Arriva Group owned by 5344 Deutsche Bahn, will receive the award for its ‘Better Bus Ride’ project. In the opinion of the award jury, it is an exemplary project that excels in meeting the transport needs of clients and ‘putting people first’. The jury were very impressed by the broad people focus including both clients and employees and how they interact and can together identify ongoing improvements that deliver great traveller comfort and a satisfying experience.
Special Mentions will be awarded to Istanbul Electricity, Tram and Tunnel, Turkey for the design and implementation of a bus rapid transit system (BRT) that reduced travel time in peak periods by over 60 per cent; and DHL Global Forwarding, Germany, for its Green Road to Rail solution for311 Bosch-189 Siemens-Hausgeräte, which built a new rail terminal that connected their clients with the rail system. The jury considered these projects to be of very high standard and examples of working collaboratively can result in better and more effective services for clients.
The award ceremony will take place during a gala dinner at the International Transport Forum’s annual summit in Leipzig, Germany, on 26 May.
“There are very few people who fit this description as well as Jaime Lerner,” said Jack Short, secretary general of the International Transport Forum, announcing the decision in Paris yesterday. “In an extraordinary career spanning many decades, Jaime Lerner, through his ideas and work, has made a real difference in the lives of people: as an architect and legendary urban planner, as a mayor of the city of Curitiba, as governor of the State of Paraná, and not least as a teacher and visionary whose ideas have inspired so many others around the globe.”
Short added: “While his achievements reach far beyond the confines of transport, Jaime Lerner has made a particularly profound and lasting contribution in this area. His brainchild, the Curitiba Bus Rapid Transit system, was a path-breaking innovation in public transport.
“It has been emulated all over the world and has provided millions of people with access to affordable, efficient transport services - and the world that this can open up: better access to education, jobs, leisure activities, family and friends.
“Not least, it has helped our big cities to become more sustainable and liveable communities. By offering affordable alternatives to car travel, it has reduced congestion and improved air quality. The International Transport Forum is proud to award the first Leadership in Transport Award to Jaime Lerner for his truly outstanding achievements.”
The International Transport Forum has also announced its 2011 Transport Achievement Award winner.
Special Mentions will be awarded to Istanbul Electricity, Tram and Tunnel, Turkey for the design and implementation of a bus rapid transit system (BRT) that reduced travel time in peak periods by over 60 per cent; and DHL Global Forwarding, Germany, for its Green Road to Rail solution for
The award ceremony will take place during a gala dinner at the International Transport Forum’s annual summit in Leipzig, Germany, on 26 May.
