Belém

AREA:
1,065 km² (411.2 sq mi)
POPULATION:
1,393,399
Brazil

Belém, the capital of Pará State and gateway to the Brazilian Amazon, participates in the GEF-7 UrbanShift program implemented by UNEP and executed by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation through the CITinova II project. As one of the country’s main economic hubs in the Amazon region, Belém faces mounting pressures from rapid urbanization, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructure planning. The city’s expansion, driven by mining, energy, and agriculture, has led to environmental degradation and loss of rainforest ecosystems that are critical for local and global climate stability. Through UrbanShift, Belém is co-developing low-emission mobility and land-use solutions, including pilots along Almirante Barroso Avenue and a “Low-Emission Belém City Center” strategy. The program also promotes sustainable agroforestry practices on Combú Island, supporting community livelihoods and demonstrating how integrated, low-carbon planning can enhance resilience in Amazonian urban regions.

Recent initiatives

Transit-Oriented Development

Transit-Oriented Development Public transportation is often a city’s best strategy to curb congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But rapidly expanding populations and insufficient financing

Municipal PPP

Well-designed and well-managed Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can deliver high-quality and cost-efficient infrastructure, helping municipalities address critical infrastructure needs in the face

Gender and Cities

The World Bank Group takes as its starting point that no country, community, or economy can achieve its potential or meet the challenges of the 21st century without the full and equal participation of
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