Afuá: A Car-Free City in the Amazon

SOURCE www.npr.org
The city of Afuá in northern Brazil's Pará state has been off-limits to motor vehicles since 2002, with a focus on bicycles and riverboats for transportation. The mayor, Odimar Wanderley Salomão, aims for the city to be remembered for its net zero emissions. The city faces challenges such as isolation, lack of basic amenities, and reliance on diesel-burning plants for electricity.

Key Points

  • Afuá has been off-limits to motor vehicles since 2002, focusing on bicycles and riverboats for transportation
  • Mayor Salomão aims for the city to achieve net zero emissions
  • The city faces challenges such as isolation and lack of basic amenities for residents
  • Afuá still relies on diesel-burning plants for electricity

Pros

  • Promoting eco-friendly transportation methods like bicycles and riverboats
  • Setting an example for sustainable urban planning in the Amazon region

Cons

  • Isolation and limited access to basic amenities for residents
  • Reliance on diesel-burning plants for electricity