Source: United Nations (video statements)
Urban planners in Brazil are at the forefront of a bold design revolution that could redefine how cities tackle climate change. One of the most promising ideas is the “agrihood” — a residential community built around a working farm, blending sustainable food production with low-carbon urban living.
As cities expand and emissions rise, agrihoods offer a powerful alternative to traditional development by reducing carbon footprints, strengthening local food systems, and reconnecting people with nature.
This innovation comes at a critical moment. According to the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) latest State of Finance for Nature report, global investments that damage the planet outweigh nature-positive solutions by 30 to 1. Despite their potential, climate-friendly models like agrihoods remain vastly underfunded.
Could Brazil’s urban experiments point the way toward a more sustainable future for cities worldwide?