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Pereira Passos Institute launches book on the paths to happiness for those who live in a big city
Published on 01/11/2023 - 18:22 | Updated
The book “City, Equality, Happiness”, written by the former mayor of Bogotá Enrique Peñalosa - Marcos de Paula / Rio City Hall The Pereira Passos Institute (IPP), an agency linked to the Civil House of the Rio City Hall, launched this Wednesday (01/11), at an event at the City Palace, the book “City, Equality, Happiness”, written by the former mayor of Bogotá Enrique Peñalosa, with a presentation by Mayor Eduardo Paes. The publication reflects on how the historical construction of a city is decisive for happier life experiences and the essential role of public authorities in this journey.
– Peñalosa has an interesting thesis. The current system of the world, which is unfair and capitalist, if we wait for social justice to happen at the global level of countries, we will be sitting around waiting to avoid getting tired. Nothing will happen. This justice can be achieved based on the reality of cities. And that is what Peñalosa did. It is always interesting to hear and read scholars who have put their hands to work – said Eduardo Paes.
According to the author, hundreds of cities in the developing world will grow in the coming decades, a process that should be taken advantage of to achieve better life experiences. Peñalosa argues that inequality is the main obstacle to building better cities and that equality and happiness need to go hand in hand. He also highlights the importance of the leadership needed for this construction.
– I am very grateful for the publication of the book in Brazil. The book is not about my work in Bogotá, nor is it a report on my term as mayor. It is a book to invite reflection on the challenges facing cities. There are many references to various cities around the world. In the book, I propose that doing good for cities is the most important thing of our time – said the former mayor of Bogotá.
Economist and urban planner Enrique Peñalosa is recognized for his contributions to urban and transportation policy in the Colombian capital. During his two non-consecutive terms as mayor of Bogotá, he revolutionized the city’s approach to urban issues, implementing the Transmilenio BRT system in the city.
– The Pereira Passos Institute, as an information, data and evidence organization, has worked very hard to expand knowledge about the city of Rio, but also about all cities in the world. This is a very interesting book because it teaches a very important lesson: an egalitarian city is a happy city. Citizens who have access to infrastructure, urban amenities and good quality space in the city are happy citizens – stated the president of the IPP, Carlos Krykhtine.
The Pereira Passos Institute already has an editorial line with several publications related to Rio de Janeiro, with the aim of deepening knowledge about historical, geographical and social aspects of the city, metropolis and the state as a whole. The best-known publication is the book “Evolução Urbana do Rio de Janeiro”, by Professor Maurício de Almeida Abreu, which is already in its fifth edition.
