After working in cities for nearly 40 years, I am telling you that every city can improve its quality of life in less than three years, no matter the scale or the financial conditions.

A lot of people assume that the expensive ideas are the most effective ones, but that is simply not true.

I always try to say, 'If you want to help the environment, try to do just two things. One, use less of your car. Second, separate your garbage.'

If you want creativity, take a zero off your budget. If you want sustainability, take off two zeros.

A car is like a mother-in-law - if you let it, it will rule your life.

The lack of resources is no longer an excuse not to act. The idea that action should only be taken after all the answers and the resources have been found is a sure recipe for paralysis. The planning of a city is a process that allows for corrections; it is supremely arrogant to believe that planning can be done only after every possible variable has been controlled.

If you provide good alternatives for public transport, you won't have traffic problems.